Education & Public Sector Award Highly Commended 2016

Location: Stockport, Manchester
Architect: Sarah Wigglesworth Architects
Client/Owner: Mellor Primary School
Structural Engineer: Rhodes and Partners
Main Contractor/Builder: MPS Construction
Joinery Company: Image Joinery
Wood Supplier: Vincent Timber
Glulam Frame Supplier: Constructional Timber Manufacturers Ltd
Environmental/M&E Engineer: Watt Energy & Consulting Engineers Ltd
Quantity Surveyor/Cost Consultant: Wilkinson Cowan Partnership
Wood Species: Canadian Western Red Cedar, European Larch, Birch Ply

The extension for Mellor Primary School provides a series of new spaces based on the school’s ‘Forest School’ ethos, believing that learning through the outdoor environment is key to helping children build resilience, resourcefulness and an ability to work together. It is, in effect, a ‘tree house’: a cluster of pitched roof forms set on a deck extending out into the landscape. The Western red cedar shingle cladding allows the building to sit comfortably in its Green Belt setting. Tree-like glulam frames support the deck, the roofs internally and the canopies externally. The new classroom and library enjoy views into the surrounding tree canopy. The covered external deck areas can be used as for play or as an outdoor classroom. The low-energy building features a striking habitat wall designed and built in partnership with the pupils. The thickened wall accommodates bio-diverse habitats for birds, insects, small animals and plants.