Delivering on Education Spotlight on Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form School Client: Value: Project: Location: The Lind Trust & Inspiration Trust 3m construction contract Redeveloping Grade II listed fire station into school building Norwich Date: November 2012 August 2014
Project Overview The Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form School was developed around a Grade II listed former fire station. The project was completed through carefully considered design when enhancing historically important buildings. The three existing buildings that formed the complex fire station had floors on differing levels, with narrow corridors and small rooms, a solution was needed to ensure over 400 pupils had enough space to learn in a confined area. the future of science and mathematics at the Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form School. The new development created dynamic space for movement and light to allow modern access standards to be achieved. It also provided vital infomation about the former history of the fire station for local community members. The building effectively contrasted new features with old and created specialised facilities that helped shape
Innovative Approach to Refurbishment Conservation: The former fire station was intended to be durable for more than 100 years, but during its life the building had taken many knocks that required attention. It was important for the client and architects that the spirit of the building was retained with the new development acknowledging the building s former use. Therefore it was decided that the building damage should be retained, becoming part of the new life for this facility. Conservation officers supported interventions where red brick contrasted with the new silver metallic cladding. Existing beauty: Designs were created to retain as many original features as possible, whilst erosion caused by weather was rectified, bases were repaired with new stone as the pilasters had split from the steel frame. Wood decay was also repaired on the large doors, whilst glass panels were incorporated to provide more daylight for better visibility. Historic elements: The team worked with conservation officers and English Heritage to research the history of the important Grade II listed building. This ensured all key internal and external features were identified and preserved. This directly influenced resulting designs as new school facilities had been developed to fit around existing spaces. We referred to a guidance document produced by English Heritage, and the London Fire Brigade for sympathetic conversion of redundant fire stations. New features were therefore designed to differentiate the original features which in turn have enhanced the historically important aspects of the building. The original Fire Station signage was also proudly retained in place too.
Challenges and Solutions Challenge: A local residents group was keen to have its views heard as it did not agree with having hundreds of teenagers parking their cycles adjacent to the Mews entrance. Solution: The cycle park was moved to accommodate the residents in 10 houses, despite their being limited space. The site was known to contain buried fuel tanks that required contamination investigation before removal. This posed to be very difficult with two listed buildings on the site. Challenge: During construction the electricity supplier advised a new substation was necessary as they had redistributed the Fire Station capacity around the district. Solution: Space was found to accommodate the new substation, despite limited space. The visual impact was minimalised with bespoke stone surround louvered doors. Challenge: The three existing buildings all had differing floor levels, with narrow corridors and therefore small rooms. Conservation to the Grade II listed building was very important to the project, but also very complex. Solution: The architect designed a new atrium in the courtyard which enabled ramp bridge links from a new stair case and lift to connect all levels of the three buildings.
Boosting engagement and the local economy Economic Benefits Locally By creating an exciting and specialised learning institution that satisfied the demand for college places, it has also brought a greater number of people to the area. This in turn has helped local businesses with economic benefits, including increased footfall. Limiting Carbon Footprints The aim was to give the 80-year-old building a new lease of life while mitigating its environmental impact. A small carbon footprint was important for the project. This was managed with air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, solar hot water systems, secondary glazing, roof insulation, efficient lighting, new gas boilers and ventilation equipment which were all installed. Engaging Young People Young people were engaged in the process. Main contractor Willmott Dixon set itself a challenge of taking on apprentices. Three local students were brought in during the course of the works. Work experience opportunities were also provided within schools, as well as site visits so they could have a taste and monitor progress up to completion.
Courtyard 8 m² 4 m² Comments and Feedback Rachel de Souza, chief executive of Inspiration Trust said the Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form School was cutting edge and praised the project team who transformed the building: This iconic building is a showcase sixth-form college. Our plans respect the past but look to the future with cutting-edge facilities to support our students to win places at Britain s best universities. Luke Coker worked on the scheme through Norwich s Jobcentre Plus on its Norwich for Jobs campaign in collaboration with the project s partners. He gave his feedback: I was a self-employed brick-layer, but two years ago I had some health issues and couldn t work. Now I am ready to go back to work, but it is difficult to find a job when you have been unemployed for this long. This project helped me get back on my feet and used to being at work again. Director at Pick Everard Paul Darlow said the project was challenging but was delighted with the outcome: The Sir Isaac Newton free school was a particularly challenging project due to the massive constraints of the site, so we employed a number of innovative design features to help maximise its historical beauty while creating a highly functional space for pupils. N 1 1A 101 L0.23 L0.21 New Stair L0.24 L0.22 Principal's Office Classroom New glazed timber screen with door to match design of original panelled timber garage door to infill original opening. Original glazed cabinets retained from flat and repositioned in Principal's Office. L0.25 Classroom L0.27 Exam' Storage L0.33 L0.32 Existing Stair L0.34 L0.26 BD Office L0.29 L0.28 Reception Lobby L0.38 Corridor Admin Office L0.40 FD Office 3 2 L0.39 DC Office L0.31 L0.30 Existing Dis WC 4 Original timber garage door to be modified with glazed infills to solid panels L0.18 Classroom L0.19 Lobby Original timber garage door to be retained in a half open position to screen the new lift. A new fire door is proposed set in a new wall behind garage door. Original timber doors to be modified with glazed infills to solid panels Original timber garage door to be modified with glazed infills to solid panels Staff Cycle Student A2 B2 D E F G H J K 5 5A L0.17 Grab & Go Servery L0.16 Atrium L0.06 Comms Room 6 L0.15 L0.36 First Aid L0.35 MFD Area Original garage door to be retained and used to secure servery out of hours of service L0.09 Refectory L0.05 L Disabled WC L0.04 Substation 7 Service8 High level window L0.13 Lobby L0.14 Existing Stair L0.11 Pole A B C L0.07 Pole L0.02 Existing Stair L0.08 Multi Use Hall Original glazed screen to be retained. L0.12 Classroom L0.10 Reception Waiting New movable wall with panels stacked against outside wall to provide a high level of acoustic performance. L0.01 Classroom School Visitors Hall & Exit Hall Back of House 1 PL - 00 - Level 0 PL/210 1 : 100
The Future of educational excellence The new facility has all the necessary ingredients in place to ensure the school s longterm vision of becoming the most outstanding maths and science school in the country. Specialist facilities tailored to user needs are designed with effective methods of teaching in mind, supporting the development of future technical specialists. The Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School will shape the future of mathematics and science. The pioneering school has considered the best fit of new functions into the existing spaces. New features have been incorporated with garages converting into classrooms and dormitories fully serviced into laboratories. The grand wood panelled recreation rooms suited the Etonian vision for the library and the Tender Hall became the reception. In converting the fire station into a Sixth Form, the project merged historic aspects of the Bethel Street building with modern elements such as hi-tech laboratories and a glass-fronted staircase in the courtyard. Retained features from the past include: firemen s poles, wood-panelled officers mess and billiards room, firemen s wooden lockers, doors of the tender hall where the fire engines were kept - they are now used for assemblies and guest lectures.
The Lessons Future learnt of educational and outcomes excellence Issues Met Head On The right specialists were in place from day one. Competent joiners and carpenters worked in tandem on a host of issues that they encountered whilst refurbishing important heritage items. This lead to a more harmonious project. Circulation Route The site s size limitations meant a strategy was required to create a circulation route outside of the existing building footprint to improve access for the hundreds of students within the building. Relationships Application Throughout With tight deadlines in place, speed was of the essence, certainly in the early stages. The building was in a state of disrepair, but a quick response from the team enabled work to start immediately. The built environment specialists were appointed quickly alongside the Pick Everard s design team which allowed contracts and costings to be put in place. The grade II listed building has a simple design, but with a fantastically modern outlook and that was key to the project. Relationships with all stakeholders were paramount to ensure a successful project, despite such a tight deadline and a complex development. From work experience students, to directors, all played their part to ensure a world-standard education scheme.
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