Graveney Sixth Form Block is the result of a positive collaboration between the school staff, students and the design team. UPBs first involvement with Graveney was to rethink the existing campus to provide new external teaching and event spaces, an entrance pavilion and new SEN facility. Through this process, we worked closely with the school students and staff through design workshops, and as part of their ‘Celebrating Architecture’ festivals.
Post-BSF, UPB submitted a number of funding bids for the school and were successful in securing an Academies Capital Maintenance Fund for a new Sixth Form Block to the rear of the site – now known as the Bradford Building. The building provides extra teaching, study and events spaces for sixth form students, and makes a positive contribution to Graveney’s campus and host of fine architectural buildings.
The funding rules meant that the building had to be delivered on tight 12-month programme at a budget of under £1million, with a target cost way below current guidelines. The school considered purchasing a prefa-bricated block, but were unconvinced about the quality of accommodation it would provide. Also, being situated behind the Grade 2 listed Furzedown House, meant that generic prefabricated buildings would be difficult to achieve planning. UPB’s brief was to provide an intelligent and spatially innovative alternative within the time and cost constraints, and we undertook a detailed feasibility study that considered different options of prefabricated, modular and bespoke construction. We decided to use CLT because of its rapid on-site construction, inherent sustainability and the feel and appearance of the material, which was appealing to the client and to us as designers.
The 800 sqm building includes 8 classrooms and a double-height study space with balconies and gallery. Constructed from Cross Laminated Timber, it has a double-skin polycarbonate front facade with openings designed to frame views across the surrounding campus and trees. There was little budget for expensive materials or interior finishes, and the tectonics and construction of the building - its CLT frame, translucent panels, cladding and openings – are what shapes the building and gives it character.
The overall construction budget was £976,000.00, or £1,207.92 sqm, (not including removing asbestos dis-covered in the ground during construction). The local authority were supportive of the scheme, and our plan-ning application included construction details and material samples, which explained the project’s propor-tional relationships to neighbouring buildings. We tendered at Stage E+ with detailed construction drawings and specifications, and were novated under a D&B contract.
The design aims to achieve the maximum architectural output with minimal means, and is the product of the combined perseverance, will and ambition of the client and design team to achieve something unexpected. The client and the design team were keen to set a precedent for how high-quality architecture can be achieved at a low budget, with intelligent construction systems and strong design ambition. The building was part of the GREATSCHOOLS Think Tank and has initiated on-going consultancy with the Department of Education regarding the design and procurement of education buildings.
