13.07.2015 Views

Highcrest Community School - High Wycombe - Public Architecture

Highcrest Community School - High Wycombe - Public Architecture

Highcrest Community School - High Wycombe - Public Architecture

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong><strong>High</strong>crest</strong> <strong>Community</strong><strong>School</strong> - <strong>High</strong> <strong>Wycombe</strong>33Located on the south side of the Wye Valley overlooking <strong>High</strong><strong>Wycombe</strong>, <strong><strong>High</strong>crest</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>School</strong> has made substantialprogress since being rated one of Buckinghamshire’s poorestperforming schools over five years ago.David WhiteheadDirector of OperationsJacobs UK LtdE: David.Whitehead@jacobs.comW:www.jacobs.comMain elevation of the new extensionPart of this improvement has been due to acomprehensive re-development programmeundertaken by Buckinghamshire County Council whocommissioned Jacobs <strong>Architecture</strong> to design andremodelling of the school campus. The school hadbeen designated a “failing school” and the Council inconsultation with the DfES took the decision to closeand reopen the school under the “Fresh Start”initiative. In order to show commitment to this decisiona series of quick hit projects were commissioned inparallel with the ‘Labs for the 21st Century’ scheme,which enabled the existing poor science facilities tobe upgraded. The school was subsequently closedat the end of the summer term in 2001 and thenreopened as <strong><strong>High</strong>crest</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>School</strong> (formerlyHatters Lane <strong>School</strong>) in September 2001.The school was provided with science facilities (2001),a new sports hall (2003), and most recently a nineclassroom teaching block complete with an assemblyhall/performance space and dance studio. The newextension was built using facing bricks to matchthe older parts of the school, cedar cladding andsplit-faced white blockwork to the first floorclassrooms. On the south facing elevation Kalwall,a light-diffusing insulated wall system, was used tothe classrooms and Dance Studio.Constructed on the site of the existing hall andgymnasium, the new building completes the northernedge of a courtyard block comprising the mainentrance, staff offices and classrooms. The originalbrief called for a separate gymnasium and assemblyhall/performance space. However, following a periodof scheme development, Jacobs recommendedcombining these functions in a single, large,two-storey space, thereby creating a biggerassembly/performance area when needed andreducing the overall footprint of the building. While thissolution increases circulation space and the need fora disabled access lift, it also offers compensatingDance studio showing light diffusing and insulated wallCommended in theCivic Building of theYear Award 2007sponsored by NPSGroup PropertyConsultants.


34 <strong><strong>High</strong>crest</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>School</strong> - <strong>High</strong> <strong>Wycombe</strong>economies in terms of reduced foundations and theincreased retention of land for recreational space.favoured for its ability to combine high levels of naturaldaylighting with good thermal properties.“Externally, thebuilding incorporatesa palette of vibrantand contrastingmaterials.”Go to the articlessection on theKnowledge Baseto view all types ofeducation projects.The T-shaped plan comprises a linear, two-storeyclassroom block (running east to west), which isbisected at mid-point by the double-height hall,measuring some 20m long by 15m wide and 8.7m high.An internet café is accommodated on a mezzanine levelat the northern end of the hall, beneath which is locatedthe dance studio. An early decision was made toaccess each classroom (and the hall mezzanine) froman external colonnade and balcony as a means ofreducing costs. Protected from the elements by alarge roof overhang, these covered circulation spacesprovide pupils with opportunities for interaction andviews of the newly landscaped courtyard.The decision to naturallyventilate the hall posedparticular concerns.Security, noise transmissionsand glare considerationsmeant that the size andnumber of the windows inthe hall was severelyrestricted. As a result itwas impossible to achievethe necessary levels ofcross-ventilation usingopening lights alone.Central to the environmentalPupils viewing the landscapedstrategy of this latest phasecourtyard from the balcony’has been the use ofwindcatchers to naturally ventilate the 300 square metreassembly hall. The devices, which were also specifiedon the sports hall, not only provide an ecological andreliable means of ventilation, they are also highly costeffective - particularly when compared to installingand maintaining air conditioning and mechanicalventilation systems. The ventilators are controlledautomatically via the building’s energy managementsystem. The system is also pre-programmed toprovide night-time cooling in summer.Externally, the building incorporates a palette ofvibrant and contrasting materials. The southernfaçade, which faces the existing school, comprisesareas of full-height Kalwall cladding interposed withpolyester powder-coated aluminium glazing and cedarboarding. The translucent cladding system wasJacobs were delighted to learn that the <strong><strong>High</strong>crest</strong><strong>Community</strong> <strong>School</strong> project was recentlyCommended by SCALA in the Civic Building ofthe Year 2007 Award.CreditsArchitectsJacobs UK LimitedT: 01296 737073Contacts: Nigel Hall/Jonathan VizeQuantity SurveyorJacobs UK LimitedT: 01296 737024Contact: Ian EnglishMechanical and Electrical EngineerJacobs UK LimitedT: 01296 737023/01296 737026Contacts: Jerry Fagan (M)/Roger Fox (E)Structural EngineerJacobs UK LimitedT: 01296 737005Contact: Brian BeasleyLandscape ArchitectJacobs UK LimitedT: 01296 737031Contact: Pat GreenMain and Sub-ContractorsMain ContractorKingerlee ConstructionT: 01865 840000Contact: Glynn BigginsMechancial Sub-ContractorH&E LtdT: 01865 847220Contact: MaintenanceElectrical Sub-ContractorC Birks LtdT: 01494 530968Contact: Stuartw w w. p u b l i c a r c h i t e c t u r e . c o . u kinformation and technology for construction & architecture in the public sector

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!