Delighted to say that construction is officially underway at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School in Barry, a project that will transform education and strengthen community ties in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The new school will replace the existing with an outstanding, inclusive new facility accommodating over 1,100 pupils.
Gareth Woodfin, Cardiff Studio Director said “It’s a proud moment to see work start on site for the new St Richard Gwyn school in Barry. This project is more than just a building; it’s about creating an inspiring environment for future generations, and I’m thrilled to see it come to life in my hometown.”
Echoing the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, our design includes a four-storey teaching wing with a large multi-functional central atrium. The new school will replace the existing building built in the 1970’s with an inclusive new facility accommodating over 1,100 pupils.
Our design will regenerate the outdated existing school and will feature enhanced facilities for sports, clubs and community events and a special resource base for up to 60 students.
Our interiors team have created a design that mirrors the external design identity and reflects the natural beauty of the surrounding area. A neutral, biophilic inspired base palette runs throughout the school, with each teaching floor having its own identity and colour in both classrooms and corridors. Natural textures like wood, combined with bold accents and glass manifestation designs, reinforce the school’s identity, guide movement, and energize the spaces for secondary pupils.
The landscape design creates a sense of place, featuring site specific flood alleviation measures will be sensitively addressed through the creation of landscape areas that will sustainably address flooding and will also act also as educational features. This includes planted swales, permeable paving, rain gardens and SuDS tree pits.
Working collaboratively with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Morgan Sindall, AECOM, Stantec and The Urbanists, the new school will be net zero in operation and will provide a much needed inclusive education facility.
