Further information

Winner: New Sixth Form Centre, Wymondham College

Architect: LSI Architects, Norwich
Contractor: R G Carter Ltd., Norwich

Wymondham College is classified by the DfES as a 'Successful and Popular School' and a planned programme of expansion is being implemented. As one of the few state boarding schools in the country, there was a requirement for additional Year 13 boarding facilities as part of the expansion plans. This commission was secured by LSI Architects following a limited competition between a shortlist of three architectural practices.

The new sixth form centre provides 115 new ensuite single bedrooms and support accommodation, expansion of existing dining facilities, a new IT suite, reading room, office, music room and student lounges.

Location & aim of the new design

The school is located in a very attractive rural location and the main design concept was to provide all residents with an outward view over the Norfolk countryside, from rooms organised in three or four storey wings arranged around a large landscaped courtyard. The existing school buildings are some 40 – 50 years old and of relatively ordinary design. The intention of the new building was to create an exciting and contemporary, high quality design on approach to the campus.

The resulting solution is a distinctive and dramatic building with two wings meeting in a westward pointing ‘prow’ which is clearly visible on entry into the site. This prominent end to the building is facetted and glazed giving it a strong three-dimensional quality and is the point at which the three storey southern wing meets the 4 storey northern wing.

Landscape setting

There are clear visual links between the design of the building and its landscape setting, which create a strong character and sense of place within the courtyard. The straight and curved wings define a courtyard of asymmetrical shape and provide a sense of enclosure to a space which offers possibilities for a variety of activities.

A clear sustainability strategy was developed, which formed an integral part of the design process and the scheme incorporates a number of renewable energy technologies along with passive ventilation, passive solar gain with solar shading to prevent overheating, maximising the use of natural lighting wherever possible and infiltration to produce an environmentally friendly surface water drainage scheme, etc.

See details of how this scheme also won the Design Award Landscape Category.

High Commendation: Thurton Primary School

Architects: NPS Architects, Norwich
Contractor: Mansell Construction Services Ltd., Swaffham, Norfolk

Thurton Primary School has a frontage onto Ashby Road, where it is positioned next to the former Victorian School and in an area of housing dating from the 1960s and 1970s. The design approach was to use a blend of modern and traditional forms that would relate to this mixed context. To achieve this the predominant gable end features found around the site were used to link old and new.

In particular the form of the new hall was designed to create a prominent gable end onto Ashby Road where it relates to other gable ends in the immediate neighbourhood. Modern detailing has been adopted to contrast with neighbouring buildings while the colours have been chosen to match.

The design also intended to clearly differentiate between the front and back of the building. At the front of the site, the design influences are generated by the context but at the rear the design is influenced by the building use. One of the main design challenges was to reconcile these two issues in one solution.

Private space and the need to provide light, airy classrooms and an external environment suitable for children were the key generators of the building form, resulting in a very different image to the rear of the building.

Sustainable design

Sustainability and renewable energy technologies were at the forefront of the design. These include a timber framed structure, insulation material made from shredded recycled newspaper, orientation of the building to maximise passive solar gain along with the use of solar shading and large overhangs to reduce overheating in summer months. A low energy underfloor heating system is used.

The building provides a reception class, two further class bases, a hall, library/resource room, parents room and further ancillary accommodation. Externally, hard and soft play spaces have been provided, along with informal landscaping and a nature area.

Commendation: 40 new homes at Lincoln Avenue, Hingham

Architects: Ingleton Wood, Norwich
Contractor: Lovell Partnerships, Norwich

The development at Lincoln Avenue in Hingham was the first new build affordable housing project commissioned by Saffron Housing Trust in March 2005. The project was therefore used to develop the Saffron design brief and approach to new build developments.

The site was previously occupied by a number of post war prefab bungalows located around a landscaped ‘tear drop’ in the road. The desire to retain this feature as a focal point for the scheme was a key driver in designing the development and a formal layout was produced in response to this.

Designing for the EcoHomes requirements

The scheme of 40 dwellings was designed to meet the EcoHomes requirements of very good. A generous size of accommodation has been provided to meet the client brief. The design was based on a simple but contemporary style which relates to the scale, form and character of other existing more traditional buildings surrounding the site.

Various energy saving measures have been incorporated including the use of sun pipes to provide natural lighting which have been designed to echo the form and rhythm of traditional chimneys on existing buildings. The project has been very well received by tenants, the client and the local community.

Related pages on this website

• Design Awards 2008: Existing Building Category
• Design Awards 2008: Conservation Category
• Design Awards 2008: Landscape Category