You do not need funny shapes ...
This is a design and build school project we delivered in Drumchapel. Everytime I look at this photo it reminds me that school architecture does not have to adopt funny shapes and have a hundred different types of external finish. Rather the architecture can be robust and simple. What we did here was succesfully resolve the essential building diagram to support the dynamic and evolving curriculum. We have created an environment here that is well lit and naturally ventilated and where opportunity exists for teachers to team teach, group work and externalise lessons as much as possible. We have on subsequent school projects, with the right client support, gone on to create even more flexible accomodation to assist this contempory learning rather than teaching model.
Through direct comparison with other schools in this local authority 'bundle' I am proud of what we achieved at Drumchapel. Our budget was extremely challenging! I am however very confident that by directing our design efforts and the project budget to support the important spatial and functional moves to help teachers and learners that we have good school.
A legible building that is well placed on its site where the architecture is simple; being finished in white render having punched windows, top lit circulation and through ventilation, good qulaity landscape and external play areas ... easy ... almost Scandinavian!
