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School in Lewsham credits the humble snail as its muse
The design for this school comprises a new build phased solution to replace the existing Sedgehill School. The school was maintained in operation throughout the redevelopment and involved the phased demolition of the existing school to make way for an all new build school in a campus style group of five buildings surrounding a central landscaped external learning "Agora" in a striking and innovative spiral plan, where you are constantly performing to the wider audience.
The design is highly sustainable, key features include a BREEAM rating of "Excellent", 20% renewable energy, maximum use of natural light and ventilation, extensive use of the buildings high thermal capacity including night time cooling and high levels of thermal insulation.
The design has been heavily influenced by the existing Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) designation of the site, leading to various requirements being imposed by the planners and the GLA. The most significant of these was to maintain visual permeability through the school’s architectural composition to retain views of, and respect, the mature and attractive landscape that surrounds the site. It was this requirement that led to the series of five separate buildings in a campus layout.
The new school will have the specialist status of a Performing Arts College and will act as a catalyst for revitalising the local area and community. The aim has been to make the school truly accessible to the community in the belief that parental and community involvement will engender in the students a greater respect for the benefits of education and pride and commitment in the school and their immediate environment.
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