A Stirling job

 

Reynaers Aluminium systems has played a significant role in helping a secondary school’s £14.4 million state-of-the-art extension to be nominated for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize 2010.
 
Christ College school in Guildford, among the final six shortlisted entries, was designed by award-winning architects DSDHA and created as part of an overall campus vision to include Pond Meadow Special Needs school. Incorporating Reynaers’ Vision 50 and Vision 50i ground floor systems, curtain walling, thermally insulated windows and sliding systems within the design, the school’s Stirling nomination marks the way towards the exemplary school design and value that architects can bring to the education sector.

Included in the shortlisted candidates is also London’s Clapham Manor school, making it the first time that two schools have been considered for the Stirling Prize. This shows a stronger presence of publicly funded schemes in this year’s nominations and gives a broader scope for inspiring architects of the future.
 
Accommodating 800 pupils from the existing Christ College’s 1960s pavilion structure and providing easy access to the site were at the top of DSDHA’s agenda. Once the school’s existing structure was demolished, Reynaers systems were installed throughout the new development to help take advantage of natural light into the building and class rooms. Creating an airy, bright and stimulating environment was found to maximise pupil’s learning potential. This outcome highlights the ever-growing importance of the learning environment and how architecture can make a difference in people’s lives.
 
Reynaers CS68 windows and doors were used for the secondary school, not only for their light entry benefits but because they are simple, elegant and slim with the window frames themselves mostly being hidden within the walls.  

Paul Duffy, Reynaers UK head of sales, said: “We are delighted that Christ College school is being recognised for its design expertise as Reynaers continues to offer sophistication and quality in our materials. Students flourish in well equipped environments and the shortlist marks an evolution for the progression of architectural development in schools.”
 
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