A stylish refurbishment of a village school near Cambridge.
Refurbishing a school is about providing a better future for pupils and creating a professional environment for the staff. Generating a sense of place is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed when renovating existing premises.
Before Refurb
Waterbeach Community Primary School is located in the village of Waterbeach to the northeast of Cambridge. Saunders Boston Architects were appointed alongside KIER to deliver a 12-classrooms extension and refurbishment to the existing school with a focus on the reception/admin area.
This was a challenging project from a coordination and logistic perspective. Refurbishment to the admin area was carried out in conjunction with a large two-storey extension and the school remained in full-operation throughout the entire construction phase.
Before
After Refurb
The design is intended to offer the children a sense of place and excitement, with a splash of colour. The new block has been designed with a bold rainbow theme, with integral coloured glazed bricks inserted in the otherwise light grey facing brickwork. In addition, feature colour reveals to the windows replicate the seven colours of the rainbow.
The existing main entrance to the school was not particularly welcoming. It was dated, non-descript and lacked presence. The fabric and finishes were tired and the interiors desperately needed new life and a different approach. As part of the refurbishment of entrance/admin area the rainbow theme has been carried through the façade on the extended admin/reception office.
Alongside the external design, careful consideration has been given to the interior of the new extension and the existing school alike. The proposed a grey-and-white palette brings a contemporary feel to the existing walls, originally painted in an array of different colours and shades.
Jane Green, WCPS Headteacher says “The new build has totally transformed our school. We have a bright, fresh learning environment that stimulates children’s learning and gives teachers a modern and purposeful place to work. A well-thought design with a long-term vision which improved our school”
The staff room has replaced the former music room. Here the staff can switch-off from their daily assignments and tasks. De-stressing is absolutely promoted and encouraged in this room. Different seating options allow the staff to feel comfortable and engage in conversations with colleagues. The new ceiling and lighting lifts the space, alongside stylish carpeting, re-painted walls and cast-iron radiators, and a brand new kitchenette, comprising of a contemporary island with high-stools, appliances and a wide working surface. Beautiful light purple hints over the grey-and-white colour scheme.
Gaye Roberts from Cambridgeshire County Council says “The new build embraces a rainbow theme in a fun but tasteful way and this is being rolled out over the refurbished areas. The Head is excited to follow the same principles through the rest of the building as part of a rolling programme going forward. Margherita has encouraged this process and empowered the Head to make some decisions that will transform the school as a whole.”
The new interior scheme has enhanced the school, providing a modern, elegant and flawless new environment. An easy palette has been provided which the school rolled out further during 2020 while the school was not fully occupied due to Covid-19.
Margherita Cesca, Senior Lead Architect at Saunders Boston says “The new space is extremely flexible and has already a fantastic inspirational vibe! The pupils and the staff love their modernised new school and that’s a great accomplishment from an architectural perspective. The staff is pleased and thankful to be working in such an inspiring environment. When entering the school there is now a sense of calmness and professionalism.”
TEAM
Architect: Saunders Boston Architects
Project Architect: Margherita Cesca
Contractor: KIER
Client: Cambridgeshire County Council
Project Management: Oxbury
Structures: Peter Dann
M&E: Bannerman Consulting
Landscape: HP Landscape
