The village
school provides a distinctive education for children between the ages of 3 and
11. The proposals address the need to
double pupil numbers to 60 with buildings that enable all its functional, teaching
and spiritual needs to be met. The bold
and exciting architecture is inspired by the rolling forms of the Lakeland hills. It embodies a ‘child-centred’ approach to
teaching that supports the totality of the children’s educational experiences
through the density and variety of interaction with teachers, nature and each
other.
Following
considerable consultation with the school, proposals evolved that were shaped
by an understanding of its curriculum and methodology. Two natural forms enclose three teaching
areas and they are linked with each other and an administrative building, by a
‘heart’ space. The spatial
configurations range between open and secluded settings that are responsive to
the needs of individual instruction, class teaching and loosely directed group
interaction. The hierarchy of enclosure
is adaptable such that the learning environment can be further refined by the
teaching staff.
The construction of the organic volumes draws on boat-building technology. Their form and timber finishes combine to create a stimulating learning environment. Concealed in their walls are ICT systems, teaching aids and capacious storage. Being the hub for visual connections with both the teaching spaces and the landscape, the ‘heart’ space is the focus of the schools activities. Its gridshell roof delicately touches the other elements and provides an abundance of natural light. The space opens on to the garden which as well as being an appealing place for play, is designed as a workshop for the natural sciences.