Daily Archives: June 2, 2015

Cotham School Library

June 2, 2015 by Ben Smith

Background

The brief was to replace 8 temporary classrooms with a permanent building that created new accommodation and also formed meaningful external spaces within the setting of the original 1930’s grammar school and sensitive conservation area.

Design

Three external courtyards, top lit classrooms and an abundance of pinboard space within was created. The original building was respected by using low pitched metal roofs on a new single storey composition.

Technical

Masonry walls with timber glulam beams are expressed internally with a steel frame for the mezzanine floor in the library. Rooflights are placed over the internal walls to bounce light into the rooms giving a more defused quality of daylight.

This gallery contains 6 photos

Hartcliffe Core Project

June 2, 2015 by Ben Smith

Background

The Hartcliffe CORE project is a unique partnership between a Primary School, an Early Years Centre, a Youth Service and the Local Authority. Together they have sought funding from Sports and Arts, URBAN, SRB5, NOF and SEED.

Design

This has resulted in a project to provide a naturally lit dedicated activity hall, a black box drama room called the “Venue” capable of being used as a nightclub, a terrifying climbing wall (from which having braved a climb you can see the whole neighbourhood) and a whole range of ancillary community facilities with bars, kitchens and foyers that links all three partners together in one building.

Designed by John St Leger, Piers Taylor
Built by Leadbitter Construction

This gallery contains 6 photos

Cotham Sports & Drama

June 2, 2015 by Ben Smith

Background

Three drama studios, six changing rooms, two classrooms and a four badminton courts sports hall extend the original concept of the site layout to contain the end of the playing fields.

Design

Being in a Conservation Area, care has been taken with the external qualities of the building along with enhanced site boundary treatments.

Technical

The building is constructed with a complete steel frame giving the benefits of speeds construction and future flexibility. The Hall is naturally lit giving flexibility of use for the sports hall.

Designed by George Batterham, Kris Eley
Built by Cowlins

This gallery contains 4 photos

Widcombe Junior CEVA School

June 2, 2015 by Ben Smith

Background

Widcombe Junior School sits in a busy urban street in the middle of Bath. The school deliberately turns its back, albeit politely, to protect the soft open playground inside.

Design

Whilst windows can be opened for rapid ventilation during the hottest periods, earth tubes draw air through vegetation filters under the building, where the air is either pre-heated or pre-cooled before entering the road side. Stack effect then exhausts the air.

Technical

Materials are chosen for longevity; natural slate, re-used random rubble Bath stone from demolished buildings, hardwood windows untreated to turn silver grey and cast aluminium rainwater goods – all fit to last a lifetime.

Designed by John St Leger, George Batterham,
Pat Benjamin
Built by Melhuish & Saunders Ltd

This gallery contains 4 photos