One of our recent projects The Valley School in Stevenage is currently on site and we really enjoy seeing how quickly our design is coming to life.
The development comprises the construction of a new school to replace the existing within the grounds of the current school which will cater for 165 students aged 11 to 16 with a wide range of learning difficulties.
The aim of the school is to provide a suitable environment with a high level of therapeutic support and purpose built teaching facilities for children with Learning Difficulties (LD) needs. Students safe guarding is a key design element, resulting in the need for single storey only accommodation with access to external spaces for every teaching area, and a dedicated and managed secure student drop off and pick up.
Additional focus has been on the sustainability with the project targeting Net Zero Carbon in Operation, with emphasis on deep insulation, energy efficient plant, thermally efficient glazing, green roof areas and photovoltaic panels to the roof.
The multi-coloured green cladding on the hall and the green roofs above the teaching block takes precedents from The Valley in which it sits and the very name of the school. A variety of outside areas have been considered for continuance of providing suitable spaces for the children to explore. There are two multipurpose inner courtyards providing contained outside spaces and allowing natural light into central rooms and corridors. External teaching areas are provided for each year group and specialist subject, with hard play court and informal play area adjacent to the school, which follows into a soft informal play, pitched and habitat areas.
The project is due to complete October 23.