Collaboration, imagination and sensible budgeting

The relationship between inspired environments and inspired teaching experiences goes a long way in the educational progress of pupils. The rpa:group discuss the architectural design of schools, the planning that goes into meeting standards and the changing appearance of the classroom.

A generation of new schools are being built across the country, some 600 or so, under the government’s Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) scheme. Although the scheme declares that it provides money for either rebuilds or refurbishment, it’s the former that usually happens as it’s often far easier to start from scratch, particularly if your new building is standardised and largely modular. It’s a great shame that some lovely old buildings like the 1930s village school in Chagford, Devon, which was assessed as having only a blocked gutter, a non life threatening crack and some peeling paint, are being demolished when it would be entirely possible to refurbish them.

We recognise that the scheme, with its severely pruned back budgets, is all about saving money. However, oddly enough, refurbishment can be the more cost effective option. The rpa:group has often been asked to take this more challenging route on a number of occasions. We have found that it is entirely possible to improve older buildings, retain their intrinsic character, and incorporate current and future trends in teaching and learning even on pared back budgets.

As a team we are no strangers to the innovative repurposing of buildings to create outstanding educational spaces that deliver a ‘wow factor’ for both educationalists and students. All it takes is inventive and resourceful use of budgets and real collaboration between all stakeholders.

We have made schools from private houses, fire stations and even public baths. Some of these projects have been complicated further by involving listed buildings where the horizon of what can be achieved is limited by stringent planning regulation. So far, this work has been on behalf of the private sector, so without the luxury of billions of public spending to support it. But even though the billions aren’t there, it is in this area that we are seeing a truly dynamic use of space, a genuine need to be inventive and a real involvement between educationalists, students, architects, designers and host communities.

A new lease of life
As architects, we accept that we are agents of change, we make buildings and environments look different, hopefully better, but we would also like to think that we are not insensitive to conservation. Therefore, we feel it’s a huge shame that some perfectly good buildings, brimful of character, are being bulldozed to provide public sector buildings that have such a uniform and standardised appearance.

Two refurbishment/repurposing projects completed by the rpa:group, with partner City Axis, illustrate how older buildings can be given a new lease of life and provide exciting first rate education spaces that tick all boxes for all stakeholders. The creation of Abingdon House, a new specialist school within a five storey Edwardian building in Marylebone, close to Regents Park, entailed creating the full requirements of an independent school, with a number of extra support facilities. New classrooms, laboratories and art rooms were created along with a gym and refectory. The design approach required sensitivity, as the building is located in a conservation area. Therefore, particular care was needed to ensure that the facade wasn’t altered, as the programme did not allow for any planning considerations.

We also worked with City Axis on Kings College Maths School. The new school was created to give children with an aptitude for mathematics the benefit of a dedicated approach to core maths subjects, to enable them to reach their full potential by applying to top universities. The school required the conversion from two buildings, one of them being the historic Lambeth Baths.

Both buildings needed a complete interior refurbishment to fulfil the vision of a connected, spacious environment, featuring well-appointed classrooms, and ‘break-out’ spaces designed to encourage communication and creativity. From initial concept to official opening by the Secretary of State for Education, the project took just 81 working days to be successfully completed.

Embracing change
So what delivers a great school? What exactly are the ingredients that make something leap beyond the mundane and enter the territory of inspirational?

First of all, we would say that partnership is vital. Architects, consultants and designers need to work together in a truly symbiotic way and they all need to work with (and understand) those who will use the school - namely the teachers and the students.

Understanding their requirements, desires and challenges will go a long way.

Secondly, understand and embrace change. All parties should address where the world of teaching will be in 10-20 years time. Will we still have classrooms as we know them or will we have more flexible space that is geared around teaching via a computer hub that provides, not only new learning opportunities in the school, but distance learning also? Our solutions for King’s Maths School support a break-out strategy for teaching by providing brightly-coloured pods that allow students to work alone or in small groups.

Will we still be using walls in the same way? Currently they are a vital teaching aid as they provide show-space for students work, particularly in primary schools. How much will schools embrace smart technologies like NFC?

The space we provide our children to learn in has to be safe, engaging, well lit, comfortable, relaxed and practical.The materials we use are of paramount importance. Using smarter constructional materials like cross laminated timber, resulting in greater use of off site construction manufacture makes sense, whereas using materials that are too cheap and which offer no significant longevity does not.

It’s vitally important that architects and designers challenge schools to think outside the box and this includes involving all staff and pupils in a process of iteration. After all it’s their space. But one major nut needs to be cracked and that is the funding issue.

Increased funding is crucial to allow architects more time to help teachers draw up an appropriate brief for their school project.

Broadly speaking, the designs for new public sector schools are part of a lowest common denominator outlook and, with their lifespans of 30-50 years, a sad reflection of today’s throwaway culture. We feel that we should, as a country, be looking more positively and enthusiastically at the strategy of refurbishing schools and repurposing old buildings.

The private sector is definitely leading the way in this regard and it might be time well spent if those advocating new build policy visited some of the many fine refurbishments to be seen the private sector. As we have shown above, some great things can be done in some very unlikely buildings. All it takes is collaboration, imagination and a sensible budget.

Further Information
www.therpagroup.com