HLM’s Catherine Ward recently took part in a design workshop at King Ecgbert School presenting the design concept and discussing the internal finishes and colour palettes for their new sixth form building.
“This is one of the best bits of my role as an Architect…engaging with the student end users! We got some brilliant suggestions for the interior spaces from the current and future Sixth Formers at King Ecgbert School”
It was important for Mercia Learning Trust and the school that the students were part of the consultation, creating a sense of ownership and excitement around their new building. Associate, Catherine Ward, visited the school to take part in a design workshop with current and future sixth formers at the school. Catherine presented the design concept and discussed the internal finishes and colour palettes. The workshop also showed how we had developed the design to Stage 3, and discussed the students’ aspirations for the interior and external environment of their new building.
As a practice, we’re passionate about providing access to opportunities to develop new skills and we actively encourage our people to get involved in outreach programmes like this. Last year, 55% of our staff were involved in our outreach programmes which forms a key part of our social value objectives.
It was great to receive positive feedback with one student commenting:
“I attended the HLM architecture meeting about the new sixth form building, and I really enjoyed it. It was a brilliant experience, as we were given the opportunity to speak with the architect designing the whole building. This allowed us an opportunity to see certain aspects that you can’t see without talking to the architect. I really enjoyed discussing the background to designing and building the new sixth form building, and I appreciate the architect giving up the time to come in and show us.”
Catherine, said; “This is one of the best bits of my role as an Architect…engaging with the student end users! We got some brilliant suggestions for the interior spaces from the current and future Sixth Formers at King Ecgbert School”
Project background:
HLM Architects were appointed to design a new teaching block at King Ecgbert School in Sheffield on behalf of the Mercia Learning Trust and Sheffield City Council (SCC), through the SCC Capital Delivery Services Framework.
Working closely with the Trust and the school, we developed the vision and brief for the new teaching building to provide sixth form accommodation in a single storey extension to the school, including general teaching rooms, study areas, staff space and associated support spaces.
The development will also include a range of external spaces, with areas of soft and hard landscape that integrate with the new building and assimilate the built form into its context. The landscape strategy will address a number of aspects essential to the development of a high-quality and well-functioning facility with the needs and care of students at its core.
These include provisions of:
- A welcoming entrance plaza.
- A series of social break out spaces
- A series of enclosed spaces for social interaction.
- A high value, biodiverse landscape.
- Functional provision of cycle storage and bin store
We look forward to catching up with the students to see what they think to the finished design and build – watch this space!
