In our latest interview with our regional Studio Directors, Gareth Woodfin, Cardiff Studio Director talks about his journey to designing award-winning school projects and why it isn’t just about creating an aesthetically pleasing space it’s about much more than that.
Alongside architectural design that can inspire the next generation and nurture individuals to reach their full potential, there is huge importance and value in fostering lasting client relationships.
Having lived in the Vale for most of my life I am passionate about the education provision available in and for my local community
Working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council for over thirteen years has been a great experience and continues to be a client we look forward to working with.
Our work with the Vale of Glamorgan Council has helped deliver the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (formerly the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, prior to January 24, 2022) it aims to transform the learning experience of pupils, ensuring they are taught in classrooms with the technologies and facilities needed to support the delivery of the Curriculum for Wales.
HLM’s partnership with the Vale began back in 2015 with Cowbridge Comprehensive School, we created a state-of-the-art educational facility located in a rural area just outside the market town of Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan. Designed to accommodate 1,550 pupils, including a large sixth form intake of 350 students, the school is a vital educational hub for the local community. The project involved the development of a new masterplan for the site, integrating both new and refurbished buildings to create a cohesive and efficient educational environment.
The stakes grew higher for our next project, designing the Penarth learning Community.
Through engagement with the client and building users, we developed an award-winning design that embraces the idea that every space is a learning space. This is underpinned with the principles of social and environmental design. The co-located SEN and secondary school is a flagship project of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s 21st Century Schools Investment Programme. The new learning community replaces five existing schools and creates a fully inclusive learning environment with a wide range of teaching opportunities and increased community access. The school has 1280 mainstream secondary students, 205 SEN places for students with ASD and MLD alongside respite/residential facilities for 19 students making it the largest learning facility in the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales at the time. This mixed environment allows all pupils to realise their full learning potential and create lasting experiences which can support them in their future personal development.
This scheme was followed by Llantwit Major Learning Community.
A significant undertaking that involved the design and construction of a comprehensive educational campus. The development included an expanded 2FE (420 places) English Primary School with a Nursery, a 1FE (210 places) Welsh Primary School with a Nursery, and a 1,220-place Comprehensive School, complete with community facilities including a public library. The project created a unified learning environment, serving also as a hub for the local community and integrating modern educational facilities with the surrounding landscape.
The next project was Pencoedtre High in Barry, the new school replaces the 1970s built Bryn Hafren Comprehensive school which was in a state of disrepair and not fit for purpose. Designed with the Future Generations Act (Wales) wellbeing goals at the forefront, Pencoedtre High improves the social and cultural wellbeing of its users and facilitates a larger range of different learning requirements, intertwining both social and educational environments making it “A school for boys and girls to thrive”.
Pencoedtre High caters for 1100 pupils and includes 6th form and an additional learning needs unit, consisting of two 3 storey teaching wings around a central ‘heart space’ of dining hall, main hall and terraced courtyard. Within each ‘wing’ there are ICT suites, performance spaces and a learning and wellbeing centre.
Most recently was the completion of the Centre for Learning and Wellbeing, Barry.
A special education facility sitting in the heart of Barry’s community, the centre provides innovative and creative learning environments that are adaptable to change. They are designed to support students to reach their full potential and offer enhanced curriculum provision. It allows for improved sporting facilities and outside “break out” spaces. Through several design workshops with a range of stakeholders including the Vale of Glamorgan, the design team were able to construct a net zero carbon facility which prioritised renewable energy sources where possible.
After also completing Cowbridge Primary School last year, currently we are working on an Ysgol Y Deri 6th Form College in Sully, Ysgol Morgannwg Iolo in Cowbridge and most recently secured planning permission for St Richard Gwyn High School. We are using our specialist education design expertise to ensure these will be as successful as the other award winning projects in the Vale of Glamorgan.
