SPACES Awards 2019 – Education New Build

Winner – Chichester Free School. Application Education & Skills Funding Agency
Joint runner up – Littleport Co-Located School, Cambridgeshire. Application by Atkins, Faithful & Gould, Morgan Sindall
Joint runner up – Springwell, Leeds – Social Emotional & Mental Health Schools. Application Atkins
Highly Commended – Bobby Moore Academy, Stratford. Application Penoyre & Prasad
Highly Commended – Edison Primary School, Hounslow. Application Pick Everard
Highly Commended – John Keats Primary School, Southwark. Application Department for Education

Highly Commended – Khalsa Academy, Wolverhampton. Application Morgan Sindall
Highly Commended – Riverbrae School, Renfrewshire. Application Renfrewshire Council
Highly Commended – The Pines Primary School, Bury St Edmunds. Application Concertus Design and Property Management
Highly Commended – Three Rivers Academy, Walton on Thames. Application Scott Brownrigg and Space Zero

Chichester Free School

Client – Education & Skills Funding Agency
Architect – Noviun Architects
Surveyor – Turner & Townsend
PM – Mace Group
Contractor – Farrans

Originally a Covent, built in 1870 for the Carmelite’s order of nuns, the Carmelites left this convent in 1994 and the building fell into a dilapidated state. The original Covent is at the heart of the school, which houses the school’s dining halls, administration staff, SEND, library and sixth form. The interface between old and new was key, so as not to undermine the existing convent. It was laser surveyed during construction to monitor movement and photographed throughout for conservation. The original but unstable bell tower had its own challenges but is now back to its former glory overlooking the entire building. The new primary school roofs replicate the 60-degree pitch of the existing convent. The architects and contractors worked with the planners and conservation team to ensure the architecture and detailing was fully restored. One of the biggest challenges was lack of utilities, the convent had no electricity, gas or main water and drainage all of which needed installing. The finished school is due a visit from a previous resident! one of the last remaining nuns, who has rescinded her Vow of Silence and now lives in a nunnery in Ireland.

Littleport Co-Located School, Cambridgeshire

Client – Cambridgeshire County Council
Full Design Team – Atkins
Surveyor – Faithful & Gould
Contractor – Morgan Sindall

This project  involved the development of a new all through school with SEN provision and leisure facilities for the community. The primary element of the school is yet be constructed but is part of the overall masterplan for the future. The project was delivered on budget and on time against the backdrop of challenging site conditions with the remediation of land and a changing academy sponsor during the construction phase of the project. The collaboration of the project team and the relationship developed between the parties impressed the judging panel and this trust has continued into the operation of the school with a great sense of community being delivered with all the services on the site.

Springwell, Leeds – Social Emotional & Mental Health Schools

Client – Wellspring Academy Trust
Full Design Team – Atkins
Contractor – Interserve Construction

Springwell Leeds – SEMH Schools are three new facilities that redefine provision across the city. The project team adopted a standardised design approach, allowing greater focus on the specific needs of the end user, with all aspects of the building being tailored towards their curriculum. The trust utilized redundant sites, regenerating them, returning them to the community and enhancing the local area. The panel were impressed by the inspiring, calm and safe environments, where students are encouraged to interact socially. Especially the ‘funnel’ spaces with 360° projection which allow for fully immersive learning, used to recreate ‘real life’ situations. The panel would also like to commend the trust who worked collaboratively with Atkins, the LA and Interserve to handover 3 schools within 6 months of each other whilst learning from a similar project located in Barnsley.