ABSTRACT

Westborough is an attempt to develop a sustainable school community through a structured environmental plan. Schools often suffer from meagre piecemeal funding, disjointed planning and changing government policy. This can inhibit positive action by the school to effect change, and can result in perpetuating neglected and alienating environments which affects the staff, children, parents and the wider community.

Architect’s statement

When Cottrell and Vermeulen first commenced work with the school in 1986, they set out a strategy which not only dealt with the building fabric, but also attempted to bring some aesthetic qualities to the school and its hard urban site. The buildings were suffering from a serious lack of maintenance funding, and the architects formulated a ten-year development plan of improvements, in close consultation with the school community.

The first phase of works involved maintenance and repair. However, it also represented an opportunity to improve the architecture. This began with new fire escapes incorporating attractive decks and ramps which appeared like dramatic playground structures. A refurbished entrance foyer provided a new exhibition area and improved the public face of the school. A new stair link introduced the first part of a lateral link across the site to connect the three existing buildings and the new nursery/reception classes to make circulation between the blocks easy and legible. The playground enclosed by new buildings designed and built at different times. The playground edge is marked by a calming blue wall; decorated mesh screens protect the buildings behind whilst enabling the penetration of light and view. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780080499291/f70b01ec-99da-4e86-a882-bbb9f643b2de/content/figcs4_4_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> (Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture. Photo: © Paul Ratigan Photo/Graphics Ltd.) The covered canopy has a warm iroko floor and transparent polypropylene cladding panels so the children can see the timber wall structure with rock-wool insulation. Simple, cheap materials used imaginatively provide the context and catalyst for education. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780080499291/f70b01ec-99da-4e86-a882-bbb9f643b2de/content/figcs4_5_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> (Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture. Photo: © Paul Ratigan Photo/Graphics Ltd.) Reception classrooms with mini courtyard or cortile. Soft paired colours match the furniture and storage units to the fabric of the building: very little applied decoration is used to ensure the classroom environment remains a calm and neutral backdrop to the activities of thirty children. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780080499291/f70b01ec-99da-4e86-a882-bbb9f643b2de/content/figcs4_6_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> (Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture. Photo: © Paul Ratigan Photo/Graphics Ltd.)

The second phase of works involved the demolition of a 1950s block and the construction of four nursery, or ‘reception’, classrooms. At the front of the new classroom block there is a ball-screen which provides an enclosing façade protecting the entrance portico. The lunchbox wall provides storage for the children’s belongings which is protected from sun and rain. It clearly signals the entrance to the building.

The classroom block is a simple building constructed from inexpensive materials. There is an attempt to create a variety of spaces, modulating light and colour to animate the whole building in a playful spatial sequence. Simple architectural devices further enhance this sequence: the lunch-box wall, a transparent wall made of polycarbonate panels; and two small light-giving courtyards, captured space which adds a significant dimension to the classroom environment.