design solutions


Bellenden Primary School is a new-build primary school and nursery in Peckham Rye that provides a series of colourful, exciting and flexible spaces for pupils, staff and the wider community. The school occupies a tight island site


Oasis of learning and joy D


This new school and nursery harnesses lively contemporary architecture to provide stimulating and flexible spaces for pupils and staff, and a sense of joy


ESIGNED by London-based practice Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture, and opened last year,


varying sizes lends a more informal character to the perimeter wall. Classrooms are arranged in pairs by


surrounded predominantly by Victorian terraced streets, forming a U-shape that follows the perimeter of the site to enclose a welcoming playground within. The boundary is marked by a grey brick wall that both mimics and contrasts the rear garden walls of neighbouring properties, before opening up to signal the colourful entrance elevations. While the ground floor is also clad in grey brick, large colourful panels enliven the first- floor elevations, lending a vibrant and friendly presence when viewed from the surrounding streets or the playground. Brightly painted walls and murals add


colour alongside the external elevations, low level windows give small children their own views to the surrounding streets, and a series of circular windows of


year group, each separated by a staircase that gives all pupils easy access to the courtyard and makes circulation as simple as possible. External play space has been maximised by creating two large roof terraces, alongside an undercroft beneath a series of classrooms that provides a sheltered area for outdoor play. The reception class and nursery on the ground floor can be combined to bring the youngest children together, and can operate independently from the school. The main hall is a flexible space for dining, assemblies or indoor games, and opens onto an external dining area. A well-equipped music room completes the ground floor arrangement. Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture


considered the wider social, health and wellbeing factors that contribute to a successful primary school. As well as creating an exciting environment for pupils and staff, the school forms a clear community focus thanks to its distinctive elevations that enliven the surrounding


streets. New trees, green roofs and bird boxes enhance both its visual appeal and biodiversity within the neighbourhood. The school’s importance within the community is further manifested through a strategy that allows several spaces – including the main hall, music facilities and the outdoor multi-use play area – to be shared with the local community. The layout of Bellenden Primary School


has been designed to minimise its use of energy while maximizing the levels of natural lighting and ventilation throughout. A high efficiency boiler, alongside energy


efficient fittings throughout the school, was installed to minimise heating energy demand and costs. The sustainability approach also incorporated renewable energy generation, with 164 sqm of roof- mounted photovoltaics contributing towards 27100 kWh of energy for the site and saving 14011 kgC02. A dedicated air source heat pump provides low grade underfloor heating, and a HWS plate heat exchanger and AHU coils were also incorporated into the build. Full thermal modelling via TAS software


was used to guide the design and to enable projections of its operational performance. Tight air leakage standards, enhanced fabric construction, high efficiency lighting and lighting controls were specified in order to supersede the London requirement of a 40% improvement on the Part L TER benchmark. The efficiency and environmental sustainability of all materials used within the project were carefully considered – for example the use of triple glazed external windows and the avoidance of MDF throughout the school. With the compact school site sitting


within a context of dense terraced housing, the exterior of the building has been designed to support and enhance the neighbourhood’s biodiversity – with the inclusion of 23 new trees on site, bird boxes and planted roofs that provide valuable wildlife habitats while enhancing the school’s visual appeal. Bellenden Primary has been designed


to make best use of the space available on its tight urban site while creating inclusive spaces that are accessible to all regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or ability. Classrooms are arranged around the perimeter of the school’s island site, creating a safe and friendly playground space at the heart of the school, and facilitating simple circulation and


18 educationdab.co.uk


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