Malmesbury Primary School

The new works to Malmesbury primary school consist of a two storey extension and internal alterations.

The new two storey extension to the main building is comprised of:

• New entrance and reception
• Extended schools' use room with new WCs on the ground floor extension
• Parents' room with accessible toilet and multi purpose room

The internal alterations include:

• Alterations to the nursery building to enlarge and open up spaces
• Installation of a new lift in the main building to enable access to all floors
• Reconfiguration and enhancement of spaces adding a new medical room and store
• The new extension is to provide a small extension to the north west corner of the main building. The internal layout of the main building will be reconfigured to include a lift. The early years building will also be reconfigured. The new extension will provide a new extended schools' use room, new toilets and new reception area to the ground floor. A parents’ room with accessible WC, lift access and multi purpose rooms will be provided on the first floor, all of which form key elements of the borough’s “Primary Strategy for Change Programme”.

Malmesbury Primary School is located within the Tredegar Square Conservation Area, on the north eastern corner of Coburn Street and Merchant Street in Bow, in close proximity to Mile End Road. The existing school was built in the 1870s. Whilst the building has no formal conservation listing, it does have elements of brick detailing of historic architectural significance. Due to its location within the conservation area it is intended that the aesthetics of the new extension is to match the existing building in terms of materiality.

All efforts have been made within the design to retain the character and original features of the existing building. The proposed extension wraps around the existing building but the original character of the building is clearly visible because of the use of transparent materials. The design has created a new modern entrance with large glazed double doors with a protective glazed canopy above demarking the new entrance to the school.

The extension utilises a facade system together with a traditional brick façade and glass canopy. The use of London stock brick will provide the sense that the new extension is part of the existing brick of the main building with modern glazed elements complementing the new and original facades. To maintain visual rhythm across the western elevation of the new extension, a mosaic has been introduced.  This creates a focal point and involves the pupils in their new school. A local artist worked closely with the pupils to create an inspirational design. The design represents both the diversity of the area and how the school can facilitate interaction within the community.

The main entrance to the school will be provided with a new reception area. A new canopy and signage will be provided over the main entrance. A new lift and stairs will be provided to serve the first floor of the extension and an additional lift will be provided within the core of the main building to serve both the first and second floor to improve accessibility to the building.

The new extended schools use room on the ground floor will be able to operate separately from the main school building for community use when necessary. The space will allow the curriculum to be expanded into areas which at present cannot be provided due to the restrictions of the existing spaces.

The new parents’ room on the first floor of the new extension will have a kitchenette facility at one end of the room and a dedicated accessible WC. Two new multi purpose rooms will be provided.

A BREEAM assessment and consultation process was undertaken, with the objective of achieving a rating of ‘Very Good’ was achieved. The process included work shops with staff, pupils, parents groups and an open day presentation to the community.

A green roof will be created over the new extension. The roof will enhance the local habitat and wildlife within the school grounds. A web camera will be installed to allow the children to observe any wildlife on the roof. This can be used as another learning resource outside the classroom environment.