Our design solution was driven by the ancient Greek idea of an ‘Agora’; a public space at the centre of the social, cultural, spiritual and political life of Greek cities where citizens could meet and engage with each other. The agora concept helped us to organise a plan arrangement which clearly defines the school as a civic building via a generous front of house entrance experience linked directly to the central agora. The school was planned as a series of destinations like a small town or village each linked by stimulating, useable, meaningful spaces. Teaching clusters are organised around the agora in a staggered plan format and each cluster contains a large, naturally lit central activity space shared between the individual class bases around it.

In acknowledgement of the surrounding low level residential buildings the school has been centrally located within the site and is designed to be viewed from all sides so as not to present a ‘back’ elevation to any of its neighbours. A simple palette of quality materials were selected, primarily white brick and black stained timber which have been detailed carefully to be durable and easily maintained and to age gracefully. The landscaping around the school was also carefully considered in order to encourage a meaningful interface with the community through the provision of a civic quality outdoor space for community gatherings and events, helping to secure the school’s role in the wider community.