We are currently on site at Oldfield School in Bath with a modular build solution for ten new general teaching classrooms in two blocks. A number of innovations are being considered for classroom storage, teaching layouts and acoustic performance. The project is designed to BREEAM Excellent and Display Energy Certificate A Rating and includes green roofs, natural ventilation, air-to-water heat pumps and PV solar collectors. Much of the construction is taking place off-site at our factory in Corby, Northants using the ModularPlus light gauge steel panel system developed by Kilworth Studio.

Construction works are set to begin in September, with the new buildings due to be opened to students in September 2013 and all work will be completed by spring 2014.

The development project follows the school’s conversion to an “all-through” academy – teaching pupils ranging from three to 18 years old – in 2010, which has been supported by education sponsor E-ACT.

Leadbitter was awarded the contract on the back of its proposal for “exciting” hi-tech interactive classrooms and flexible teaching spaces, within a single building complex, without disrupting learning during the rebuild.

Academy principal Nick Hindmarsh said: “The transformation of the facilities on offer here, combined with our improving grades, make this the most exciting period for education in Dartmouth ever.”

Research partners Northamptonshire County Council and Leicester University are eager to take residence to begin to build an evidence base of learning styles and behaviour in space.

Kilworth Studio will be contributing a programme of research activity to model how space affects behaviour to the benefit of organisational activity.

The building solutions include an off-grid classroom that can run without infrastructure development tapping into renewables technologies and Passivhaus concepts. The buildings will meet the requirements of the James Review and will offer effective solutions for both Local Authority and Free School developments.

The one and a half hour session was fully attended by an international audience of architects, educationalists and facility planners from the education sector.

The presentation has been enthusiastically received, “I had read about your session in the conference brochure prior to attending, and wanted to hear all of you talk about your experiences in creating LearnSpace, and I have to tell you, I was not disappointed.   From my perspective, you have created a “library” of sorts, perhaps “learning center” is more appropriate….but to create a space that people could potentially use to perform tests on their classroom design and allow them to “check it out” for a period of time….and to have the ability to change a space to another design in a quick time, is amazing”.

Mike Moyer
Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo Dealer Services