Blyth Schools
As part of the Northumberland County Council Framework Agreement, W.A. Fairhurst & Partners (Fairhurst) were appointed by GB Building Solutions Ltd. (GBBSL) to provide services for several schools in Blyth following the reorganisation of the county's education into a two-tier system. New school buildings are being provided, or in some cases existing schools are being extended and updated to provide more modern facilities.
The landscape design services for the new Malvins Close Primary School, New Delaval Primary School, Newsham Primary School and Croftway Primary School included site appraisals, concept layouts and the preparation of landscape proposal plans to form part of the planning submission. Following planning approval, Fairhurst provided detailed design and contract administration.
The layouts, informed by a series of public consultation events, have been designed with careful consideration of the surrounding environment and context, utilising each school's unique character by aiming to maximise existing positive site features where possible. The use of BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which addresses a wide-range of environmental issues, and reference to CABE's school Design Guidance, has resulted in high quality and sustainable external design.
The vision for these schools is focused on assisting curriculum learning and enhancing play experiences, through the creation of unique environments and a sense of place for pupils, staff and the local community. The designs provide an arrangement of pitches that meet Sport England's requirements and BB99 guidance (Building Bulletin 99: Briefing Framework for Primary School Projects) and fit within the existing infrastructure of the sites. Features within the external school design include habitat areas, wildlife gardens, grass mounds and amphitheatres. Allotment gardens with raised planting beds will inspire learning and encourage pupils to interact with their surroundings. Entrance areas are clearly defined to welcome and direct visitors, yet flexibly integrated within the surrounding space.
| Location | Blyth, Northumberland |
| Type of scheme | Primary schools |
| Outline brief | Provision of landscape design services for four schools, from initial site feasibility through to construction. |
| Client | Northumberland County Council (NCC)/ GB Building Solutions Ltd. (GBBSL) |
| Project team | Architect: _space |
| Planning authority | Northumberland County Council (NCC) |
| Contact details | helen.smith@fairhurst.co.uk |
Technical summary |
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| Materials | Areas of hard surfacing surrounding the building are located immediately adjacent to classrooms, and allow efficient pedestrian movement, access to the school and flexible external play space. A range of materials, such as paving, brick edging and coloured tarmac subtly mark different social spaces and define the entrance areas. |
| Planting | The proposed layouts have been adapted to retain existing trees where possible, particularly mature trees with existing amenity value. |
| Contractors | Main Contractor: GB Building Solutions Ltd. |
| Category | Individual buildings |
| Keywords | academic institutions - design |
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