Burry Port Community Primary School
The pioneering scheme for Burry Port Community Primary School brings together the town's once separate infant and junior schools on one central site, in a design that celebrates Welsh materials and embraces innovation.
Location
Carmarthenshire, UK
Area
1,993 m2
Status
Completed
Year
2015
Client
Carmarthenshire County Council
Set over three principal buildings, the project is a mix of refurbishment and new-build. The prominent new-build aspects include the first Passivhaus school building in Wales, as well as a separate, Brettstapel constructed elliptical pod for multi-use purposes, which unites the new and old elements of the school.
The original infant school has been rationalised and renovated, solving a number of environmental defects and creating four large, secure, open-plan classrooms as well as multi-use space for teaching and messy play, breakout space, and covered outdoor areas.
This is an extremely sensitive, very carefully considered scheme that focuses on health and well being and sets the bar higher for the schools of the future in Wales.
Chris Loyn, Chair of the RSAW Judges 2016
Vision
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Design
The new-build aspects of the scheme are a triumph of innovation and sustainable construction, not to mention an exemplar use of Welsh timber, which the new buildings are entirely constructed from.
In line with Passivhaus requirements, the honest, pared back form of the new junior years building is wrapped in continuous air-tight duvet layer from the foundations-up. To give a fresh and natural aesthetic, the envelope is clad in Welsh larch and topped with a contemporary zinc standing seam roof.
The elliptical pod building, constructed using the Brettstapel method, is one of the first examples of Brettstapel construction being used in the education sector in the UK. The technique makes use of Wales’ abundance of low-grade softwood, Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce.
We can't even begin to explain the difference this building has made to us - the children think it's very cool. The pupils love their new, eco-friendly classes they are light and spacious, providing an excellent environment for learning.
Alison Williams, Head Teacher
Expertise
Architype team
Elrond Burrell
George Mikurcik
Hannah Dixon
Kate Yeoll
Architype
Architype services
Architecture
Perform services
Project partners
Joint Architects
Carmarthenshire Country Council and Architype
Landscape architect
Mackley Davies Associates
Structural engineers
Bingham Hall Partnership
M&E consultant
Troup Bywaters & Anders
Timber frame
Cygnum Timber Frame
Main contractor
WRW Construction
Acousticians
ION Acoustics
Passivhaus consultant
Elemental Solutions
Selected accolades
2016 RSAW - Welsh Architecture Award
2016 RSAW - Sustainability Award
2016 RSAW - Project Architect Award, George Mikurcik
2016 Structural Timber Awards - Best Educational Project 'Highly Commended'
2016 Welsh Gold Medal for Architecture - shortlisted
2016 Sustain Wales Awards - Best Educational Building
Key data
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