Norton St Phillip

Sector: Education | Historic
Service: Building Surveying

Norton St Phillip nursery school and class room 

Hookway was engaged to design and project manage the construction of a nursery and classroom building. Although not a large building it was an exciting and challenging brief. 

The challenge

We were asked to provide a building that is clearly ‘of it's time’ while sitting comfortably in an historic setting, within a conservation area, and ANOB, opposite a church and on a green field site adjacent to the historic school.  In a prominent position there was a keen interest in the new building from many villagers and the conservation officer.

The solution

Working closely with the Local Authority Early Years advisors we were asked to provide a single building with a separate covered entrance to the classroom and nursery. Free internal access was required between nursery and school with separate toilets, a pupil training kitchen and an office. Also a movable wall with the option to create one large room was installed.

The result

We produced a design that was wholeheartedly endorsed by all of the stakeholders including Somerset LA Early Years, the school committee, the head, the vicar, the PTA and the conservation officer. The building was designed using sympathetic materials in a modern style. Without making an overt statement it seamlessly achieves the client brief. The building was delivered on time and on budget and has proved a great success, it is very popular with pupils and staff.  It was a finalist in the Mendip Building Control Awards for a modern building in an historic setting. To provide covered play and avoid the later addition of unsightly canopies the building has a large overhanging sedum roof which has proved very successful. Hookway has maintained a good working relationship with the school and has managed a number of other projects since handover.