Project Title: ‘ECO-FUNNEL’ – in the playground
Location: Grafton School
Wood Species Used: SOLID TIMBER STRUCTURAL PANELS – SPRUCE, EXTERNAL CLADDING – 3 PLY TILLY BOARD - DOUGLAS FIR
This expressive, pavilion-like building is sited in the playground of Grafton Primary School and serves both school and community as a stand-alone multi-purpose hall. It currently serves as a spare classroom while works are happening in the main school; it will later be fitted out with a WC and small office.
The structural enclosure is built from prefabricated solid spruce panels made in Germany by Eurban and externally fitted woodfibre insulation giving low embodied energy and forming a breathable skin. The frame was erected in 3 days.
The roof’s folded form, echoing the ‘butterfly’ roofs of the terraced houses nearby, incorporates pv solar panels on the south and west slopes and funnels rainwater into a large ceramic pot. The pot feeds an underground rainwater harvesting tank for the wc & school’s nature garden. The roof overhangs on two sides to form a canopy and is clad in a waterproof black rubber ‘raincoat’ that extends down the two rear wall surfaces. The playground elevations are clad in Douglas fir engineered boards with integral rubber clad benches for the children at playtimes.
The solid timber panels are left exposed on the interior of the building and the screed floor is finished with a self levelling coloured topping. Heat exchange units control ventilation and limit heat loss. The building’s perimeter is protected by tree-stump bollards, also used for games of leapfrog.
The building’s dramatic roof has a strong presence in the large playground; the interior has framed views of the original Victorian board school and of the playground via a panoramic, child height window.
BUILDING OWNER: LONDON BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON
ARCHITECT: CHARLES BARCLAY ARCHITECTS
BUILDER / MAIN CONTRACTOR: DC WOODRUFF & SON LTD
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: MICHAEL HADI ASSOCIATES
SUBCONTRACTOR (TIMBER STRUCTURE): EURBAN LTD
WOOD SUPPLIER: MCI TIMPLY LTD - CLADDING
