Capel Manor Primary School, Enfield was a one form entry school located in the green belt and within the Forty Hill conservation area, on a large open site, and previously underused because it was too large for the school to supervise adequately. The school was keen for new development to improve usage of the site. This desire had to be balanced with the protection of the green belt and the character of the conservation area.
The project expands the school to two forms of entry, with a new curved extension to the rear of the existing single storey buildings and smaller extensions at the front of the site. The school playground has been moved further into the site, away from the traffic on busy Bullsmoor Lane.
The curved block has large areas of glazing looking out over the green site; the views out from the existing classrooms were noted by the school as one of the existing building“s best features. Large overhanging roofs and a brise-soleil provide solar shading to minimise solar gain. A glazed canopy incorporating PV cells provides sheltered play and some solar shading to existing classrooms, and 20% of the new building’s energy need.
