West Buckland School

New art and design department at a secondary school in Devon, UK. The new building, comprising of two staggered blocks clad in untreated larch and locally-sourced stone, forms a link between the old Victorian school house Karslake Hall to the east and preparatory school with boarding to the west.

The two parts are connected at first-floor level by a glazed bridge, while glazed corridors mean displayed pupils’ artwork is visible both inside and out.  A courtyard between the new and old structures has steps up to the main entrance that can be used as tiered seating and for performances.

Natural cross ventilation is provided by automatic dampers within the floor and roof light up-stands; cool air is drawn in through floor vents along the Southern edge of the building and stale waste air is exhausted through roof light vents via the stack effect. The building also incorporates an array of Photovoltaic panels on the Theatre roof.

Using cross-laminated timber panels and Glulam beams allowed the repetition of the structural system, from the typical classroom to the larger than average spans for the art rooms and theatre space. Using this system made a significant reduction in installation time compared with traditional forms of construction.

Architect: Rundell Associates, Client: West Buckland School, Completed: Spring 2010

Awards: RIBA Regional Award South West and Wessex 2011, RICS South West Award for Sustainability 2011