Design process

AHMM were appointed as architects in August 2003. As the building was procured through a traditional contract, AHMM administrated the £25 million contract. This helped to ensure that design quality and close consultation with the client was a priority throughout the process. Alison Banks was appointed as head teacher during the design process. She worked closely with the architects AHMM and the sponsors to develop a design that answered an ambitious brief based around some progressive and transformational education principals. The school needed to have a bold civic presence in the community and a strong brand identity that reflected the school’s international outlook. AHMM worked with Studio Myerscough on developing the distinctive graphics that are emblazoned around the school. The architects also worked with Andrew Stafford on designing furniture especially for the school. Internally, spaces needed to allow for a broad range of learning methods – so more conventional classrooms were combined with smaller breakout spaces, larger lecture-style spaces and even larger gathering spaces such as the main “market place”. The plan of the building was developed to allow for future flexibility and to encourage better connections and movement between spaces. Space Syntax was used to model how people would move around the building and this informed the arrangement of the scissor stairs and the other circulation spaces in the school. Studio Myerscough also worked with the architects on developing a way-finding strategy.

The architects created and developed the design up to the end of 2004, upon which the scheme was tendered. Galliford Try was appointed as main contractor in October 2005. AHMM and Galliford Try worked together closely to monitor the construction process and keep costs down without compromising quality. Inexpensive, robust and hard-wearing materials were selected and used creatively to be both functional and aesthetic. The team saved money on some of the standardised materials and fittings, such as the ceiling baffles, light fittings and raised flooring system, whereas others were more expensive and high quality where necessary. The school was completed in September 2007.