Education Architects
Our long standing relationship with Sidcot School underlines the value we place on meaningful engagement. These projects demonstrate a design approach that prioritises elegant solutions, functionality, natural light, flexible spaces and sustainable construction.
Working with and listening to leadership teams, teachers, administrators, students and community members helps gain valuable insights and ensures that the final designs exceed the requirements, deliver value for money and are fully future proofed. LED Architects have extensive experience of working across the public and private sectors, from SEN to mainstream education and including the following building types:
- Administration Offices
- Art Studios and Galleries
- Boarding Houses
- CDT Workshops
- Classrooms
- Cookery Departments
- Dining Halls and Commercial Kitchens
- Drama Studios
- Facades and Roofs
- Lecture Rooms
- Library Learning Resource Centers
- Music Studios and Practice Rooms
- School Receptions
- School Halls
- Science Labs
- Sports Halls and Gyms
- Swimming Pools and Changing Facilities
LED can offer expert advice from the first steps through to construction. As Education Architects with experience at both large and smaller scales, full retrofit and new build projects, feasibility and scoping projects, we work closely with Bursars, Estate Managers and Heads to deliver effective outcomes. In all we do we strive to create inspirational and lasting spaces. Our commitment to the latest technology allows us to visualise, review and refine our designs, ensuring the buildings we design are the buildings and ideas being delivered.
Sixth Form Centre The full external and internal refurbishment of the Sixth Form Centre at Sidcot School saw the original 1960s three-storey building stripped back to its concrete frame and then fully re-clad with a new curtain wall system and zinc roof. This has created a striking new low energy facility for the school providing students and staff with a comfortable, modern, learning environment. photos below.
Boarding House The state-of-the-art boarding facilities for students and senior houseparents. New accommodation comprises individual study-bedrooms, complete with en-suite shower pods, plus a larger unit designed for fully accessible wheelchair use. In total, 35 study-bed spaces have been created at Wing House plus two large common rooms, one of which incorporates a striking glazed link to the annex. The generous houseparents’ apartment has 3 bedrooms, kitchen/diner, study and large open-plan living area with a south-facing raised terrace offering fine views over the surrounding landscape. A further house study, laundry area and refurbished assistant houseparent’s flat is also included.
Junior School The development incorporates three distinct parts – the full refurbishment of the existing Edwardian building; the design & construction of a new school hall and the erection of a new classroom block. Six new classrooms, including a bespoke nursery facility, plus toilets and cloakrooms, linking via a generous circulation spine to the new hall and original building. All rooms look out onto the surrounding landscape and play areas, including a stepped amphitheater. External ramps and an internal platform lift ensure the site is fully accessible.
Creative and Performing Arts Centre is an eye-catching and innovative addition to the School’s estate, bringing together specialist facilities for the teaching of Art, Drama and Music. The departments are interlinked over two storeys with generous circulation routes providing internal and external display and performance spaces. All areas are fully accessible. Accommodation includes separate drama and music performance spaces each designed with specific acoustic qualities for audiences of 100 using bleacher seating. Music practice rooms, 6 art studios, kiln room, classrooms, recording studio, offices and toilets are also incorporated.
Chemistry and teaching facilities Sidcot Science department redevelopment included adding new classrooms and teaching laboratories into the existing block by redeveloping areas previously occupied by redundant oil tanks, and raising part of the existing roof. The school now runs off biomass boilers and heat pumps.
