Adam McAleavey

Gillmoss Urban Village Scheme Design & Urban Design Code

01 March 2010 Produced for Liverpool City Council i Prepared by North West Design Associates

The Gordon Stephenson Building 74 Bedford Street South Liverpool Merseyside L69 7ZQ

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This paper is presented to Liverpool City Council in respect of the Gillmoss Urban Village Scheme Design & Urban Design Codes and may not be used or relied on by any other person or by the client in relation to any other matters not covered specifically by the scope of this paper. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the paper, North West Design Associates is obliged to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of the services required by NWDA and shall not be liable except to the extent that it has failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence, and this paper shall be read and construed accordingly. This paper has been prepared by NWDA. No individual is personally liable in connection with the preparation of this paper. By receiving this paper and acting on it, the client or any other person accepts that no individual is personally liable whether in contract, tort, for breach of statutory duty or otherwise.

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 31.

Vision Urban Design Code Introduction Site Plan UDF Aims & Objectives Development Principles Sustainability Principles Sustainability Features Urban Design Principles Landmarks Key Frontages Public Art Inclusive Design Accessibility Highways Parking Building Densities Building Heights Building Types Green Space Landscaping Frontages & Boundaries Key Detailing Scheme Design Gillmoss Park Gillmoss School

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Site Context The proposed site lies adjacent to the Gilmoss Industrial Estate in the Gilmoss area of Liverpool. Gilmoss is an area of mixed uses on the very eastern edge of Liverpool with the boundary to Knowsley Borough Council. The development site is located approximately 7.5km north east of Liverpool City centre. The overall site is irregular in shape and has a total area of approximately 60.2ha. The Green Belt covers 29.3ha of the site, leaving a net development site of 30.9ha.

There is a major transport depot on the southern part of the site with a frontage to the A580 East Lancs Road which was once the main arterial route between Manchester and Liverpool, until the advent of the motorway system.

Purpose of Design Codes It is integral that the NWDA produces a set of design codes in order to create an innovative residential neighbourhood, characterised by contemporary architecture surrounded by a green environment. This will be achieved by: Providing codes that ensure a consistent level of quality over time across the entire development. Offering clear design instructions on the character and quality of development to be achieved at the Gillmoss Village. Ensuring consistency and coordination between different developments at Gillmoss Village. Clear guidance in detailed architecture, landscape and planning decisions across the site.

The development lies alongside the M57 motorway and is bounded by the A580 and A506 trunk roads. The primary land use is industry and business development of various types. The main part of the Gillmoss Estate lies to the west but the eastern extension has yet to be developed despite the best efforts of the North West Development Agency (NWDA) to interest investors.

The northern boundary of the site is the River Alt that forms the city boundary, hereafter it flows through Croxteth to wind around the Field Land area and thence northwards. The possibility of linking the site with the adjacent housing area around Field Lane should be explored. The eastern boundary is formed by the Knowsley Brook and marks the boundary of the Green Belt in this area before it joins the River Alt to the North of the site.
Vision With Gillmoss Village, the NWDA are seeking to create a sustainable community providing a model of contemporary urban planning that builds on local heritage and environment, in fulfillment of national policies for the sustainable development for all urban and rural communities in Britain.

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Fig. 1 Source Google Earth: Aerial View of site detailing site boundary

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Fig. 2 Source NWDA: Aerial View of site detailing UDF boundaries

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Aims & Objectives Development within Gillmoss Village will reflect 21st Century living; a modern and sustainable lifestyle. Development will be both contemporary in architecture and will be built using modern methods of construction. Gillmoss Village will offer its residents choice in a sustainable way of living, and offer individuals the opportunity to embrace a sustainable lifestyle through: Encouraging and providing for sustainable modes of transport Encouraging and providing opportunities to work from home Encouraging and providing opportunities to grow food locally Encouraging and providing flexible accommodation which is designed to meet the changing needs of the family over time Encouraging and providing for the production of renewable energy

Encouraging and providing for the recycling of water for use within dwellings Encouraging and providing for recycling, reducing the amount of waste produced. The development, in terms of design, construction and use will ensure minimum impact upon the environment. Schemes will be built to a high environmental standard and will assist in minimising energy used from non-renewable resources. The built form will respond and capitalise upon the sites landscape features, many of which are proposed as part of a network of green spaces that evolve from the main park site. Water courses and SuDs will also provide a key addition to the landscape. The urban structure and built form within Gillmoss Village will incorporate best practice urban design principles, combined with a

high standard in innovative architecture. The structure of the development will focus upon a number of walkable neighbourhoods, connected by the main Gillmoss Park and other public open spaces. This further reinforces the rural character of the development and its aesthetic beauty.

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Lifetime Homes Standards A key objective for the development is to include Lifetime Homes standards in 40% of housing. Lifetime Homes are ordinary homes incorporating 16 design criteria that can be universally applied to new homes at minimal cost. Each design feature adds to the comfort and convenience of the home and supports the changing needs of individuals and families at different stages of life. Lifetime Homes are all about flexibility and adaptability; they are not special, but are thoughtfully designed to create and encourage better living environments for everyone. From raising small children to coping with illness or dealing with reduced mobility in later life, Lifetime Homes make the ups and downs of daily living easier to manage. By following the criteria, the houses have potential to evolve in line with requirements of the occupier over time. Sustainability Sustainability objectives for Gillmoss Village include requirements to ensure a low carbon development, with the establishment of bespoke standards to reduce the impact of the development on the environment. The sites environmental assets will be used to create an attractive scheme that minimises its impact on the environment.

Public Open Spaces The relationship with the proposed showpiece Gillmoss Park and surrounding area is critical to the success of the site. The 30 hectare park will provide the basis to develop a network of open spaces, presenting the feeling of living within the park. The ecological features incorporated into the public open spaces will encourage biodiversity throughout the development. Quality Townscape Gillmoss Village is built around the principles of a high quality townscape, connectivity and legibility, incorporating a clear layout with a distinct set of routes and spaces. There will be an array of architecture on display while maintaining a strong neighbourhood feel to the area. The relationship between the development and the surrounding landscape will encourage the community to explore the site.

Mixed Uses A balanced, sustainable environment will be created, where facilities are easy to reach by foot and bicycle. Retail and public buildings have been grouped centrally to create a focus at the heart of the community, reducing the need of a car.

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Meeting sustainability objectives is a key principle for the development of Gillmoss Village. The following mandatory sustainability objectives will be included in all developments on site: Lifetime Homes Standards 40% of houses on site will incorporate all 16 design criteria to create a home for life, allowing for adaptation within the building to suit the occupier and their changing circumstances over time. Sustainable Environment It is essential the development is efficient in terms of energy and the design codes reflect this importance. Existing landscape will be retained and enhanced with additional planting, increasing the biodiversity of the site.

Sustainable Transport Access to public transport will be improved extensively, with a five minute walk from all homes to bus stops being put in place and the development of a tramline. Reliance on the car will be significantly reduced by encouraging walking and cycling on site through the provision of safe and efficient pedestrian/cycle routes.

Sustainability Principles for Dwellings Majority of dwellings will incorporate solar energy resources to heat and create energy around the house. Bicycle parking will be integrated within each home as standard. Refuse, recycling and compost storage will be included in every home. Water Sustainability Principles Water conservation has increasing importance as water levels drop across England, its important to address this problem from both an environmental and economical perspective, and thus the following will be incorporated in the development: Greywater recycling for apartment blocks. Drought resistant planting will take place across the site.

Sustainable Community The Gillmoss Village will attempt to become a zero commute development by providing employment, retail and community facilities at the heart of the site, while also promoting the concept of working at home.

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Fig. 3 Source Tattenhoe Park Design Codes: Key sustainability features to be fitted in homes

i. Low energy materials ii. Roof light iii. Low energy light fittings iv. Storm lobby to minimise heat loss v. Ridge terminal vi. Fabric insulation vii. Solar Panels viii. Attic for home working ix. Stack ventilation x. Double glazed windows xi. Aerated traps to basin xii. Winter Garden xiii. Sustainable showers and toilet xiv. Utility space for waste and storage

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Design Principles With the completion of the masterplan, the location of the school, community facilities, public house, retail units, location of streets, vehicular access points , route of the tramline, and the landscape structure have already been put in place and agreed. The masterplan has set the basis for each site within the development to be individually designed cohesively. Principles of Place Making The Urban Design Compendium sets out a summary of the key aspects of urban design, providing the foundations for the design of a development. It reflects the importance of working with the existing landscape, supporting sustainable and vibrant communities, and highlighting the need for homes for life projects.

Key Aspects of Urban Design: Places for People For places to be well used & loved, they must be safe, comfortable, varied and attractive. They also need to be distinctive, and offer variety. Vibrant places offer opportunities for meeting people, playing in the street and watching the world go by. Enrich the Existing New development should enrich the qualities of existing urban places, encouraging a distinctive response that arises from and complements its setting. Making Connections Places need to be easy to get to and be integrated physically and visually with their surroundings. This requires attention to how to get around by foot, cycle, public transport, and car. Work with the Landscape Places that strike the balance between the natural and man made environment and utilise each sites resources such as the climate, landform, landscape, and ecology to maximise energy conservation and amenity.

Mix Uses & Forms Stimulating, enjoyable and convenient places meet a variety of demands from the widest possible range of users, amenities and social groups. Manage the Investment For projects to be developable and well cared for they must be economically viable, well managed and maintained. This means understanding the market considerations of developers, ensuring long term commitment from the community and the local authority. Design for Change New development needs to be flexible enough to respond to future changes in use, lifestyle and demography. This includes designing for energy and resource efficiency.

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Landmark Buildings Landmark buildings provide important visual reference points to enable visitors and residents to navigate their way around the new development. Their location will be used to create an architectural focus within the street scene, to create a feature and to reinforce spatial events. Gateway buildings within the Gillmoss Village will mark the entrance into the site from main vehicular access.

Landmark buildings and gateway buildings will incorporate one or more of the following features to emphasise their prominence: Differential storey height Differential massing Differential roofline Differential materials Use of architectural features and bespoke building forms.

Landmarks/vistas/focal points create landmarks within the development and enhance vistas into and out of the development, focussed on important routes, memorable buildings and landscape features.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Key frontages Similar to the effect generated by landmark buildings, key frontages can also act as reference points to visitors and residents, but are also used to ensure buildings are in keeping with their surrounds. Techniques to assist in defining building frontages will include: Differing architectural features and styling Arrangement of building heights, build lines and roof lines Differing roofline treatment Special corner treatments Projecting bays and balconies Soft landscaping Use of materials.

Legibility Group buildings together into distinctive arrangements to emphasises specific locations and provide points of reference for navigation through the area.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Public Art The use of public art to add soul, energy and dynamism, will assist in making Gillmoss Village an emotionally and visually stimulating place to live, work and visit. Public art may include the detailing of a building, signage, street furniture, lighting schemes, landscape design, flooring or a freestanding piece. Public art will be dotted across the Gillmoss site, as it enlivens spaces and helps to create character and identity for the emerging community.

Vitality Integrate design of buildings and public realm to create positive public spaces and encourage activity on the street.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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The public realm of Gillmoss Village will be designed for all, including disabled people, the elderly, and families with younger children. CABE put together a document called The Principles of Inclusive Design which highlights the key principles in achieving a fully inclusive development to all: Inclusive so everyone can use them safely, easily and with dignity Responsive taking into account of what people say they need and want Flexible so different people can use them in different ways Convenient so everyone can use them without too much effort Accommodating for all people, regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or circumstances Welcoming with no disabling barrier that might exclude some people Realistic offering more than one solution to help balance everyones needs and recognising that one solution may not work for all.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Car Parking Disabled parking will be provided at the community centre, shops and school, within 50m of the entrance. Access to the entrance from the car parking space should be level and on firm ground.

Entrances Level or gentle gradient approaches to dwellings will be facilitated for all homes and public buildings.
Footpaths Footpaths will be made from a firm, non-slip surface (such as asphalt/flags), to a minimum of 2m and will be well lit. Flush kerbs and tactile paving will be used to benefit less abled people.

Street Furniture Location of street furniture will enable at least a 1.8m space of footpath, and towards the edges of the path in order to reduce restriction of movement. Any benches will provide back and arm rests and will be no taller than 0.5m in height. Bollards and litter bins should be at least 1.0m high. Rough surface materials will be used around objects like tree guards to assist in highlighting the obstacles. Lighting Any lighting will be provided to highway standards, and will be of increased importance at building entrances to improve vision but without creating high levels of glare/light pollution.

Permeability Maximise access to community facilities and public transport through street layout.

Enhance Facilities Provide good quality public realm and open space closely linked to facilities and movement patterns.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Streets A hierarchy of streets will distribute vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians throughout the site. A basis of measurements and plan for each street to use has been laid out as a flexible reference. Public transport provision will run along the majority of high street roads and, while tramlines will hold priority at any road junctions or carriageways. Any pedestrian routes will be both safe, direct and attractive. Footpaths will not be separate from the street and will be integral to an integrated street scene. Vehicle speeds will be restrained by traffic calming measures to create an average design speed of 20mph using: Tree Planting On Street Parking Stepping of building lines Surface materials Street Furniture Raised Tables

Street Hierarchy create a hierarchy of movement routes that have a clear role within the new development.

Safety on the Street Reduce vehicle speeds and rat running within residential areas through a co-ordinated use of measures, including kerb build outs, vertical elements and materials.

Fig. 4 Source Manual for Streets: Key road measurements

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Parking Car parking will be achieved in a number of ways and will meet best practice design standards with each space measuring at least 4.5m by 3.3m. On street parking will be located in discreetly designed areas, while on plot parking will be to the rear or side of dwellings parked cars will not come forward of the building line. As a guide, a 1 bed dwelling will be provided with 1 space per dwelling (4.5m by 3.3m); a 2 bed dwelling will be provided with 1.5 space per dwelling, and a 3+ bed dwelling will be given 2.5 space per dwelling.

Cycle Parking The provision, location and design of secure cycle parking for all dwellings will be integrated into the design of all homes. Any cycle parking will be located as close as possible to the dwelling (at the entrance of the building), essentially closer than car parking to further promote the idea of leaving the care at home. Cycle parking for apartments will be designed so they can be stored within the building as part of shared facilities. Reducing Car Dominance Create a layout that reduces traffic accidents and fear of traffic. Create a public realm where residents can walk, cycle, sit, chat; where it is safe for children to play and move around on their own.

Source: Manual for Streets

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Densities Densities will range from up to 30dph to 60dph and the average density will be in keeping with PPS3, making the most efficient use of land. A range in density will be applied across the site, in order to promote variety in the built form and choice of lifestyle. There will be a defined relationship between density and use, with highest densities being located around the mixed use centre. High density areas within the development will be defined through the predominant use of apartments and town houses. Medium density areas will include a range of house types such as town houses, apartments and semi-detached homes. Low density areas will predominantly include semi-detached and detached properties to assist in reducing the visual impact of the development upon the surrounding green space.

Density Create sustainable urban housing centred on accessible locations and public transport connections. A mixture of densities to suit the character of each location.
Source: Broadway Malyan

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Building Heights & Massing Building heights will relate proportionately to the public realm to provide a human scale enclosure and adequate daylight. A hierarchical street network, and variety of public spaces, with some variations in building heights, will ensure an interesting mix of massing throughout the development. Suitable diversity in treatments of skyline will be enforced through opportunities to have higher buildings at corners, entrances, gateways and junctions.

Scale Ensure a close relationship between the scale of buildings and the scale of the street for spatial definition and containment and to enhance sense of place. Create continuity of building formed through clear building line.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Building Types As a predominantly residential development Gillmoss Urban Village will offer a range of dwelling types to cater for all lifestyles. They will include: Detached units will suit low density areas Semi-detached will suit low density areas and some medium density areas Town houses will be used in medium and high density areas Apartments and maisonettes will be used in high and medium density areas 30% of all units will be affordable, in line with SPG on Affordable Housing. The affordable dwellings will be dotted throughout the development in groups of no more than 12 dwellings, and they will be designed to the same level as the sale units, making them indistinguishable from those around them.

Variety Provide an overall mixed density development that accommodates a socially mixed community with a variety of life styles. Provide a range of housing types and sizes that can accommodate a balanced community.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Open Spaces Gillmoss Urban Village will be fortunate enough to have a rich and varied network of open spaces creating a landscape framework that will ensure that all residents will feel as though they live within a semi-rural setting. Green fingers will reach out from the park to provide an attractive setting for a variety of activities and for people to generally lead their day to day lives. The park system will be a genuine asset to Gillmoss Urban Village and housing should front onto the open spaces, taking advantage of the views. Consideration should also be given to views into the parks from streets and squares, and to focal points which can be seen from access points and approaches.

Landscape Objectives The landscape objectives are as follows: Respond positively to the surrounds, encouraging a strong sense of place and community within the development with strong links to the surrounding landscape while respecting local views and users; Provide a high quality landscape setting to the proposed development through the provision of an appropriate landscape infrastructure; Provide opportunities to maintain and enhance landscape features Improve nature conservation interest through the introduction of plant species and dipping ponds.

Open Space Create a strong open space structure that provides a network of safe and attractive routes between the home, schools, parks and facilities.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Planting Landscape treatment will require a careful and holistic approach to the design of external space in order to avoid any unsatisfactory planting in empty spaces. Plants and materials of the highest quality should be used, and consideration must be given to providing good growing conditions for each plant. A successful planting scheme should essentially mean there is a seamless transition from the rural environment of the park to the suburban residential developments. SUDS Sustainable Drainage Systems will be installed in key areas of the site by providing water butts, attenuation features and soakaways to minimise surface run off. The use of such SUDS will help utilise rainwater, minimise run off, rate of discharge and the pollution impact that water discharge has.

Landscape & Sustainability As sustainability becomes the key word of planning and urban design, it is essential that residents are provided with the opportunity to live as sustainable as possible. Spaces will be left available for the introduction of allotments in the future where people can grow their own fruit and vegetables. Within the school boundaries there will be a specially designed vegetable garden. Within particular housing sites, fruit trees will be planted in rear gardens and in locations where a form of screening is necessary. Trellis could be put in place to allow for climbing fruit and vegetables to be planted by residents, and window boxes provided for apartments so that everyone is able to grow their own herbs.
Source: Broadway Malyan

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Frontages & Boundaries All properties will address the street and include a front garden, setback or privacy strip, which can all be accommodated in a multitude of ways, depending on the character of each area. It is important to clearly define the difference between public and private spaces, while offering an area of personal space for all dwellings. This will be achieved through front gardens, setbacks or privacy strips that include either hard or soft landscaping depending on the area. The type of boundary treatments available include: Planted front gardens Metal railings Metal railings backed by low level planting Low level hedges Planting pits Low brick walls topped with metal railings

Secured by Design Provide good levels of natural surveillance of all public and shared areas. Provide well-overlooked parking areas close to the properties they serve.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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Building Materials In order to reduce the consumption of natural resources, developers will consider reuse of materials and components, and any recycled materials with recycled content will be specified. All materials and building components should come from sustainable sources; all insulation materials will be free of substances that contribute to global warming; 50% of timber used will come from a sustainable resource; and materials should be recycled from local centres wherever possible.

Roof Detailing Special attention will be paid to making the roofscape an attractive and interesting feature of the site. The roofs will provide a variety of different heights and forms to create visual interest, and designs will be consistent with the architecture of the buildings. Emphasis will be placed on natural colour tones which fit within the landscape, with the use of slate, fibre cement slate and clay tiles. Any photovoltaic systems will be designed as an integral part of the roofscape so the there is a strong level of coherence.

Sustainability Provide buildings that respond to increasing requirements on future phases, including the national agenda for carbon neutral development.

Source: Broadway Malyan

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More open space is the constant cry of those who plan, design and inhabit the Inner City. But many neighbourhoods have their quota of deserted parks, notable for their sparse, tired shrubs, their worn grass, their boarded up, graffiti covered lavatories. It is not only the quantity of open space which matters. Quality also counts too.
Jane Jacobs, in The Death and Life of the Great American Cities, pointed out that a mismanaged open space will drag down the adjoining neighbourhood, encourage muggings and drive away office workers, women and children, who would otherwise enjoy the parks. People will not use open spaces just because some planner or developer has thought it necessary to provide them. We need sustainable open spaces, which everyone can have access to use and enjoy, as best meets their individual needs.

Source: NWDA

Source: NWDA

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Gillmoss Park is the heart and lungs of the Gillmoss development site, its attributes and design will reflect throughout the rest of the site, from the school to residential development. The Gillmoss Urban Park will be designed for all. Some areas will be very busy, since some people love to watch other people lead their lives. While other areas will be very quiet, since we all need some form of solitude. The park will cater for a range of sports and leisure time pursuits, including football and even water-based recreation. There will be areas of open fields, with pockets of high standard gardening. Youth recreation and learning will play a key role in the whole of the park, not just those areas closest to the local school. It will play both an important educational role and act as a venue for cultural activities. Four Key Principles in the creation of a successful Urban Park GREENSPACE PLANS: Historic and modern parks should be conceived and managed in the context of citywide green space plans that should foster ecological, visual and functional diversity. WATERSPACE PLANS: Urban rivers and water bodies should be planned and designed for joint use within amenity interests. The demand for water features within urban surrounds is at an all time high from the public. URBAN RENEWAL: New public open spaces should be created as the first and most key stage in any urban development. SUSTAINABILITY: Green space can and should contribute to the objective of an environment which meets present needs without compromising future generations. Parks can be the perfect models of recycling and low energy use.

Source: NWDA

Source: NWDA

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Why have urban parks? To promote relaxation, recreation, childrens play, contact with the past, contact with nature, sport, social interaction, health, education, civic beauty, economic development, tourism, more plant and animal life in cities, and to promote urban renewal and increase the value of adjacent areas. The public park is a special type of urban space: vegetated, owned by the public and presented for recreation. The park was initially devised in the 19th Century as a public health measure and held great importance. Now in the 21st Century, the importance of good quality, well designed public parks must be stressed again they are more relevant to the needs of our society than ever before. They can act as the central core and catalyst of sustainable urban spaces, and that is precisely what Gillmoss Park aims to do by promoting the following things:

Provision for recreation: Gillmoss Park will provide active and passive recreation facilities for the whole community. It will be essential to the area for outdoor sport, active and passive recreation. Contact with society: Gillmoss Park will be a place where social contacts can take place. It will act as a place for young and old, for lovers and children to meet, and for families to walk and play. Contact with Nature: The park will act as an awe-inspiring contrast to the everyday technological world. It will give urban dwellers the opportunity to come into contact with plants and animals. It will give urbanites of Gillmoss the chance to view natures processes, such as plant growth, and to experience large spaces, a beauty often lacking in cities.

Health: The park will make the edge of Liverpool a healthier place and allow Gillmoss residents to become healthier in themselves. The park will be the lungs of the Gillmoss housing development site. Education: The park will be on the doorstep of the newly developed Gillmoss school, and thus will be a direct educational resource for both the school and for adult education. The Arts: The park will provide opportunities to promote the arts in the form of outdoor theatre, dance, music and sculpture. Beauty: The Gillmoss Park will be the essence of beauty within the development, and thus will cause a spread in such aesthetic appeal across the site. The park in itself will be regarded as a work of art. Tourism and Culture: The park has the potential to become a tourism attraction, providing greater economic opportunities to the area.

Conservation: The park will be vital to the conservation and promotion of habitats for birds, insect, and other wildlife in the city of Liverpool.
Childrens Play: Gillmoss Park will provide a safe haven for youth recreation, away from dangerous cars and traffic fumes.

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Source: NWDA

Source: Great City Parks, Alan Tate

Source: Great City Parks, Alan Tate

Source: NWDA

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Source: BDP

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Source: NWDA

Situated in the far north of Gillmoss Village, this modern day primary school and kindergarten will be of significant focus for the local community. The building will house a primary school with nursery facilities, catering for children aged between 4 and 11 years. The school will incorporate high levels of security, making the childrens safety a number one priority. The vision is to create a new, inspiring, safe and modern school environment for the children of the Gillmoss area, whilst also creating a building that will provide a centre for community activities.

Source: NWDA

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On completion, the new school will provide the Gillmoss Village with modernised school facilities, a safe, welcoming environment suited to modern methods of teaching, an increased design awareness that reflects the quality of design within the nearby park and rest of the development. The classrooms, hall and community areas have been designed to define internal courtyards, allowing for the provision of secure play spaces and increased natural light to all corridors. Classrooms will have windows facing into the courtyards and so will have natural light entering from two sides. The footprint of the new school is relatively compact, teaching spaces are light and airy, all resulting in a much better teaching environment.

Source: NWDA

Source: NWDA

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It is essential that as part of the development the school plays an integral part in enhancing the environment, improving the human condition, while being both sustainable and rooted within the community. This should be a living building that makes the Gillmoss Village better and enriches the peoples lives who live and work in and around the school. The school is within such close proximity to the Gillmoss Park it is practically a school within a park. In response to this, every effort has been made to ensure the building is at the forefront of energy efficient design including using passive solar gain to reduce heating energy, biomass power generation, facade and window design to maximise natural daylight and minimise glare, stack system ventilation and strategies to minimise heat loss through the building fabric. The materials used will ensure that the building is sympathetic to its park surrounds, and will fully embrace its scenery by incorporating design elements of the park into the site, including tree planting and the use of water features in the courtyards. The park provides the school with the perfect learning environment, and the building will go a long way to celebrate that relationship.

Source: NWDA

Source: Great City Parks, Alan Tate

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