Working closely with appointed architects Nightingale Associates and the client, Kier Moss has constructed a new school to meet the requirements of up to 30 students with various learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorders.
The building's orientation and siting has been designed to maximise the spatial quality of the teaching spaces using natural daylight, the best surrounding views and protection from sources of noise.
The school is arranged in a horseshoe shape around a landscaped sensory garden, allowing the wings of the building to be visually and physically connected. From aromatic plants smelling of chocolate (atrosanguineus) to tactile plants such as Lamb’s Ear (stachys byzantina), planting in four raised beds has been chosen to symbolise touch, taste, smell and colour. Curved benches shadowing each raised bed are positioned to provide easy interaction between those seated and wheelchair users. A water feature chosen by the school provides a focal point to the garden.
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A light and airy common room has direct access to the garden, providing opportunities for outdoor study and recreation whereas administration and staff support areas orientate around the main entrance to enhance security and enable passive supervision. Interior finishes have been selected to make it easier for partially sighted individuals to find their way around.
Materials have been carefully selected to complement the natural setting and adjacent buildings, with hard materials used on the 'acoustic edge' to the car park and softer materials such as glass and timber used to connect the building with the garden and landscape beyond. Building flexibility is provided by minimal fixed furniture, a range of different sized rooms, and acoustic movable partitions between classrooms.
Commenting on the completed facility, The Castle School bursar, Graham page, said: "I am pleased to acknowledge the role that Kier Moss has played in delivering this first class facility for our SEN students.
"Kier's project team worked very closely with the school and our own project manager to ensure that every step of the way we would be building a facility that would meet the many and varied needs of our students."
(CD)
