GSS Architecture and Couch Perry Wilkes have revealed plans for a brand new primary school. New Lubbesthorpe Primary School will be located within the new community of Lubbesthorpe, near Blaby, Leicestershire. The 420-place primary school is the first of three schools – a mix of two primary and one secondary school – to be unveiled to meet the needs of the 4,250 home development.
The building design, developed by GSS Architecture, is based on a green philosophy that encourages green spaces. The outside is brought in with a focus on natural light and playful colours inside the building.
“There were many different factors to consider when designing New Lubbesthorpe Primary School especially as the school will inform the style of the future community buildings on the development,” said Tom Jagger, associate at GSS Architecture. “The masterplan is also centred, aside from creating a green, eco-friendly site, on forming an open square for the village that will be a central spot that responds to the surrounding site and offers a sense of community in the budding development.”
The school consists of single storey accommodation, which will include 14 classrooms, a learning resources centre, hall, kitchen, staff room, a studio and specialised room and the reception along with plenty of circulating space.
CPW, a national M&E engineering consultancy with extensive experience in the education sector, was brought on board by the architecture firm to support with the mechanical and electrical assessment on the project.
“We want to achieve a BREEAM rating of good so there is good daylighting throughout the school and the electrical lighting has been thoughtfully designed with the use of low energy LED luminaires throughout. Similarly, the mechanical services solution reliably provides a suitable environment while minimising energy consumption – this is in keeping with the green philosophy of the project,” commented Matt Wrate, director and head of the CPW Leicester office.
The design team also includes the project manager and quantity surveyor, Bentley Project Management, Rodgers Leask, the structural engineers, and Secured by Design which provided guidance on the overall project.
