The project provides an opportunity to enhance an underused part of the school campus and deliver a building that engages positively with the external landscape. The site was cleared previously for a construction project that did not go ahead. It is a large, generally flat area of land between Gipsy Lane, the Gareth Edwards rugby pitch, and all-weather hockey pitch. Mature trees along Gipsy Lane will be protected and the soft landscaping enhanced.
Compositionally the approach has been to exploit the change in level between Gipsy Lane and the rugby pitch. The first-floor day houses are positioned at the top of the slope overlooking the rugby and hockey pitches – appearing like a low lying “sports pavilion”. A mono-pitch roof rises towards the rugby pitch with a dual-purpose canopy extending along the length of the external terrace to provide solar shading and shelter for spectators.
The ground-floor level, housing changing rooms, toilets, plant, and vertical circulation – addresses the more public, south face of the site. It is positioned at the base of the slope with an external landscaped area surrounding the drop-off and entrance. The landscape has been designed by the landscape architect to mimic the Somerset Levels, by means of sculpted mounds offering a series of external garden rooms with seating areas and overspill space to gather and socialise amongst the trees. The pedestrian route along the south edge of the site will be adjusted to maintain level access between Gipsy Lane, the Gareth Edwards rugby pitch, and all-weather hockey pitch.
Many of the buildings throughout the campus are clad in a wide variety of brick or stone, in a range of grey, brown and buff tones. The proposed brick has been chosen to harmonise the range of existing materials on site and relates to the tonal qualities of the local stone. The new aluminium windows, doors, soffits, and metalwork will be coloured in a warm dark grey finish to compliment both the red and new light grey brickwork. Externally, the terrace steps and new seating elements are to be a light-coloured precast concrete. With stainless-steel handrails to the entrance steps and timber slatted tops to the benches to tie in with the surrounding landscaped gardens.
Page\Park worked alongside the school’s estates team and acoustic engineer to develop a robust and functional material palette that would minimize ongoing maintenance requirements and ensure longevity. In addition, the thermal performance of the new extension is designed to exceed building regulation requirements. Occupied spaces are orientated to take advantage of natural light while overhangs, deep window reveals, timber louvres and canopies manage solar gain. Openable windows maximise user control and lessen dependence on mechanical ventilation. Air source heat pumps and PV panels are proposed to reduce CO2 emissions and running costs.