portfolio
Water Hall Primary School
Alex Freemantle as Principal Architect, Architecture MK
WINNER: RIBA Design Award 2010
WINNER: 'Inspiring Design' Award
British Council for School Environments (BCSE) Awards 2009
Included in the 2011 'Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities' from OECD Centre for Effective Learning Environments
Client Milton Keynes Council
Contract Value £5,000,000
Completion Autumn 2008
"The Judges thought this was an outstanding example of a new primary school which met the needs of its community and delivered a beautiful, sustainable building. The central courtyard is particularly effective and creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Most importantly, the building reflects the school's ethos and is much loved by those who use it."
To view the shortlist click here
--
This project was designed by Alex Freemantle, RIBA while Principal Architect at Architecture MK . Alex is now Partner in Wyatt MacLaren LLP.
The new Water Hall Primary School replaces an existing unsuitable building on the same site with a building designed to enhance the school’s sense of its own community, its relationship with the local community outside the school, and which provides spaces which are a pleasure to learn and teach in.
The head teacher’s view is expressed in these words: “ It was clear that people didn’t want an intimidating building, but a place with a soul, and that’s exactly what has been achieved. This building has been living from the start and we are very excited to be moving in and bringing yet more life into the place”.
The desire to create a sense of physical and mental wellbeing are key aims behind the overall design of the school. At the school’s request the new building was designed around a central courtyard which is a key focus of the scheme. The main circulation of the school surrounds the courtyard as a form of “cloister” with large sliding glazed openings providing continually changing views. The main entrance also has views into the courtyard. The different types of space each have their own distinctive physical form, giving visual variety and interest. Spaces are generous in height and feel spacious and unconstricted. Good levels of daylight, views out, effective natural ventilation and the use of natural materials such as timber combined with a calm colour scheme are some of the factors which create a sense of wellbeing supporting a positive attitude to learning.
The design process started in January 2006 with a Design Festival day managed by Schoolworks. This included children from the school, parents, staff, governors, local councillors, representatives from the Education Authority and a local police representative among others. The architects co-facilitated a number of the workshops. The Schoolworks report became a part of the brief for the design. A children’s version of the report was also fed back to the pupils.
The design development continued from this time as a collaborative process with frequent consultation meetings with the school representatives. Freehand sketch plans were used in the early stages to develop the design flexibly and in a user friendly fashion. The agreed scheme was presented to school governors, and 3D drawings as well as plans were displayed in the school and in the local housing office.
In terms of delivery the key innovation is the intensive level of consultation with the school on an ongoing basis which has lead to a complete sense of ownership of the scheme by the school. Close involvement of the building contractor and the school has also benefitted the process. The contractor is a medium sized relatively local company and is a member of the client’s framework which aims to foster long term relationships for mutual benefit.
