Robothams were appointed in 2019 by Speller Metcalfe and Gloucestershire County Council to design a one form of entry expansion to the ‘Outstanding’ Academy school in the Cotswold village of Bourton on the Water. The practice engaged with the school to define the brief undertaking a BB103 analysis of the existing accommodation and analysis of the site. Our initial assessment identified the need for enhanced / expanded science accommodation, additional general teaching rooms and a shortfall in sport facilities.

The scheme will therefore deliver a new 10 classroom building including resources base and staff accommodation, an additional science laboratory and a new activity studio and changing rooms. The practice sought and gained planning consent from Gloucestershire County County Council with a start on site made in September 2020.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the functional brief the building needed to address the Cotswold vernacular and the context of the sites location in the AONB. The facades combined render, architectural masonry and standing seam metal roofs to complement earlier developments at the school and meet local authority requirements.

The buildings will also meet the County Council expectations that new facilities should exceed the energy and thermal performance  set out in the building regulations with integration of renewables and enhanced building envelope.