The project consists of the construction of a two storey steel framed building which will accommodate 1200 11-16 year olds with an additional 200 pupils aged 16-19.
Droylsden Academy will be located on the former Droylsden High School for Girls playing fields site on Manor Road and was established on 1st September 2009, following the closure of Littlemoss High School for Boys and Droylsden School Mathematics and Computing College on 31st August 2009. The site is approximately 4.82 hectares in area, set within the urban area of Droylsden adjacent to Sunny Bank Park.
The Academy will transform learning. From the moment you enter the learning site, the building will encourage a sense of awe, serving as a dynamic symbol for learning in the 21st century. The Academy will be a beacon within the community, and as such, will physically embrace the local area. The building will stand as a metaphor for change and higher aspirations within the community. A Piazza area will provide a strong symbol to the community that the Academy is inclusive, welcoming and sees itself as an integral part of the local area.
The Project and Design
The Droylsden Academy building footprint is approximately 10,748 sq metres and is accommodated over two and three storeys. The orientation and location of the new building has been dictated by several factors, including the inability to construct on the existing footprint and near existing sewers, addressing Droylsden community, and enabling the design to maximise environmentally sustainable features and opportunities.
The building is composed of three elements - the arcing open plan 11-16 area, a rectilinear block containing sport, sixth form and community facilities, and a central hub containing learning resource, dining, social and performance areas.
The Droylsden Academy project includes large extensive landscaping including car parking facilities, access, external teaching as well as new sports facilities, and the Academy building will consist of post 16 provision, community, sport, social and recreational areas. The main entrance to the building will be via the public plaza into the central hub area and is clearly distinguishable within the surroundings, welcoming, clearly lit and signposted from all access routes.
The building frontage is onto Manor Road and addresses the Droylsden community. Overall the appearance of the building has been designed to reflect the dynamic nature of the Academy with a contemporary building of strong presence with the community, whilst responding to the wider context and setting of the site.
The main pedestrian routes onto the site will be surfaced in high quality materials to reinforce its importance and naturally lead people to the main entrance of the Academy. Planting and street furniture will create items of interest along these routes but located just off the footpath to prevent them being an obstruction. Accessible parking bays are provided adjacent to the main entrance at the front of the Academy to assist any disabled people with walking difficulties or wheelchair users. Drop off points will have level access leading to the entrance doors and there are public transport links with public bus stops immediately adjacent to the site on Manor Road. There will be car parking provision on the site for 160 car parking spaces including 9 accessible bays and there will also be off-road parking provision for up to 2 scholar buses.
The Academy will occupy the predecessor building of Droylsden Mathematics and Computing College during the construction of the new school. Upon completion of the new building, the existing school building will be demolished and the area reinstated as grass and synthetic sports pitches.
The construction of a new school has huge potential benefits for both educational interest and the potential for inspiring young people into a future in the construction industry.
Sustainability
| We are creating 'eco' areas on the site to enhance the natural habitat; this will encourage ecological biodiversity on the site. Solar shading, solar reflective glass and an effective natural ventilation strategy will also help contribute to the sustainability of the building. This reduces the need for mechanical ventilation and associated energy consumption. |
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Inspiredspaces has worked to reduce the total carbon emissions resulting from Droylsden Academy. Their first step is to reduce energy demand and then to provide the energy required in a sustainable manner coupled with responsible material selection. Energy for the school will be generated on site using a combined heat and power plant facility (CHP). The CHP will be fuelled by pure plant oil which is a renewable resource, the waste heat from the generation process being captured and used within the building as required.
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| The building is designed to be very energy efficient by providing good levels of insulation, maximisation of natural day-lighting for both health and energy benefits and the provision of natural ventilation. Construction materials have also been carefully chosen to reduce energy consumption and damage to the environment, with a focus on timber from approved sources and recycled products. |
Article text courtesy of inspiredspaces