Bent Primary School

‘Designed to be sensitive to context whilst being contemporary in style, Bent Primary School extends an existing and locally popular stone schoolhouse.

The agricultural setting was the main influence for materials and form chosen. The extension is an abstracted pitched roof form, reflecting both the existing building and its rural setting. The use of traditional construction methods and materials ensure that the new school adapts to the fabric of the existing building, yet provide proportions and detail that are appropriate to the new school’s purpose and location.

The front is an extrusion of the existing building’s form, separating old and new, by a glazed link. The new front elevation is intentionally metal clad to blend with the surrounding agricultural buildings. A rough white render is used across the rest of the building to tie in with traditional harling allowing the new building to successfully nestle into its surroundings.

Entering the school, you are bound by the existing exposed stone building to one side and clean lines of the new accommodation. The large central general purpose and library spaces enjoy key architectural features provided by the retention and utilisation of the existing building. Large existing windows, flood the space with natural light, while the sliding glazed partition link this space into the remainder.

The new school building wraps around a sheltered courtyard. This external space has been designed to be humane, inspirational and provide a stimulating external teaching environment.

All classrooms enjoy uninterrupted views of Tinto hill creating inspiring learning spaces.’