A visionary design
September 2015

Glazed elements by KAWNEER have helped a ‘visionary’ new school achieve a BREEAM ‘Very good’ rating.

The aluminium systems supplier’s AA100 zone-drained and AA100 SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain walling, AA541 top-hung casement windows, AA541 actuated windows at high level as rooflights and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors were specified for Trumpington Meadows primary school near Cambridge.

The curtain walling, with 50mm sightlines, was installed by approved specialist sub-contractor JPJ Installations for main contractor Willmott Dixon on the main entrance and assembly hall while the 190 doors were used to give classrooms direct access to the outdoor space and the windows were used throughout the £8.5million building.

An extensive community and stakeholder consultation resulted in an adaptable, inclusive and visionary design with a strong understanding of the specific requirements of future pupils, staff and the community.

Following discussions with JPJ Installations the windows were designed to be attached directly to the timber SIPS panels. This resulted in them being installed early in the construction programme. Due to this the building was watertight much sooner than in traditional construction.

The foyer has a six-metre glazed façade to maintain visual continuity between outside and inside space while the façade incorporates an expanse of Kawneer glazing to add transparency between the local centre and community space within the building.

The classrooms were designed to achieve a level of light distribution, with large picture windows spanning from floor to ceiling to the external façade, with high level clerestory windows bringing light into the deeper spaces.

The teaching accommodation was designed to maximise natural light and ventilation. Every classroom is cross-ventilated with a combination of manual low-level windows and automatic clerestory windows, and each classroom has direct access to outdoor space – a key aspiration of the Fawcett Federation and temporary governing body - to ensure the opportunity for free flow of movement, allowing flexible ways of teaching in both outdoor and indoor spaces.

www.kawneer.co.uk