Canford School Sixth Form Centre

Posted by Trinity Architecture Limited on 8th May 2019 -

This two storey building is octagonal, with the addition of an enclosed porch under a gabled roof to emphasise the main entrance. Its size and location, on land adjacent to existing Design & Technology buildings, were constrained by existing ground levels, underground services and adjacent trees. The first floor is inset from the perimeter of the ground floor and is lit by clerestorey windows to all sides. The steel frame radiates from a central column and is exposed and accentuated in dark grey against the pale colour of wall and ceiling finishes.

 

The building provides a meeting area, socialising space and kitchen on the ground floor, with study space equipped for computer use at first floor level. Two steel staircases are arranged symmetrically each side of the building and form a feature with perforated metal balustrading and stainless steel handrails. The staircases are not enclosed and the first floor has a gallery overlooking the ground floor entrance area.  For these reasons it was necessary to install an automatic smoke extraction system to allow safe means of escape from the first floor. This draws smoke from the underside of the first floor and discharges the smoke to the outside air through the plant room at the rear.