Elmgrove Primary

Elmgrove is a four-form entry primary school with 26-place Nursery that has additional funding to provide places for up to 19 pupils with physical disabilities but these students are fully integrated and learn in the same classrooms as their able-bodied colleagues. The brief was to replace the main single-storey building and a recent extension.

The concept is to organise the new accommodation in relation to two key landscape spaces: an entrance space and a central courtyard. The entrance space is a simple open area that creates a setting for the new building and adding an additional playspace for the Early Years. The courtyard creates a new, central heart for the School. Key spaces such as the halls, staircases and the breakfast club have been positioned around the courtyard to activate this space - providing movement, interest and activity. The idea is that a varied quality of external spaces can be created. The courtyard has been designed as a slower space for sitting, gathering, and hosting events, this then progresses to the other external hard areas are for faster play, before you reach the playing fields which is for sporting activities.

The Infant School and Nursery are positioned on the ground floor, and the older Junior School placed on the first floor. This organisation is done in a logical, age progressive way and allows for all Infant classrooms to have direct access from their classrooms to an associated external play area.

Project Information

Elmgrove Primary School, Harrow

Demolition of the main block and construction of new permanent two-storey accommodation.

Value: £10.5m / Client: Kier Construction / Programme: Completion 2020 / Architect's Role: Full Service

All photographs are © Peter Durant

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