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

All vision

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We have a proven track-record in delivering natural low-impact materials as part of mainstream solutions.

Innovating with Natural Materials

Natural Materials

How can natural, low-impact materials be effectively integrated into projects?

Building with Brettstapel

The Brettstapel system is a great example of the innovative low-carbon approach to design and construction adopted on the project. Brettstapel maximises the performance of low-grade softwood components allowing them to be used structurally whilst providing a natural, toxin-free interior that complements the interal air quality.

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.