Pleckgate High School

Blackburn with Darwen

Designed by AEDAS.

Overall design quality rating: good

Comments:

In this attractive setting, the school makes good use of the site and the natural assets of its location. In terms of the grounds, the scheme offers a good variety of well-designed external areas, such as the amphitheatre, for outdoor activities. Many classrooms have direct access to the grounds which is also positive. The diagram of the building is based on clear circulation routes around the central theatre, which connect well organised learning zones. The dining room at the heart of the school allows interesting visual connections through the building to the surrounding landscape. The opportunities for interaction between the learning zones and the central hall give the building a transparency that is set to provide an uplifting environment for learning and teaching. This is supported by the configuration of the individual learning zones around large voids which should also ensure that the lower level benefits from good natural light. Generally, the strategy to use natural ventilation is good; care will be needed to achieve this in the deep plan areas. The elevations are simple and appear robust, and they seem to take sun protection and overheating into account.

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