Uppingham School, Science Building UK, Sports Centre, Architect, Development, Design, Image

Uppingham School Building : Rutland Architecture

English Educational Project in Rutland, central England, UK – design by ORMS Architects

27 Feb 2012

Uppingham School

ORMS secure planning for ‘destination’ Science building at Uppingham School

Design: ORMS, Architects

ORMS has secured planning permission for a new ‘L’ shaped science building for Uppingham School that physically and intellectually connects science with sport, art, drama and mathematics. The Headmasters vision was to ‘evoke the Renaissance’ by reaching across the disciplines and ORMS have designed a building which links them by forming a Quadrangle. The Quad, an outdoor forum, will be the focus for the expanding Western Campus and it is informed by the existing Quad which is located at the heart of the historic town centre.

ORMS project director John McRae said “It was a perfect brief for us. Our focus is always on delivering integrated environments and an essential part of this is to engage non scientists with the building. We have done this by incorporating school wide functions such as an exhibition space, research centre, lecture theatre and buttery which will encourage use by all pupils.”

The new building will comprise three complementary volumes arranged round a grassed quad. A three storey lab and classroom wing forms the western block of the 5,125 m2 science building. The southern wing houses the public and school-life functions and features a pre-cast concrete colonnade fronting a glazed screen to the lecture theatre. The third volume – the bold, cube shaped ‘Jewel Box’ – sits on top of the southern wing and provides an outdoor classroom, an eco-lab and triple height atrium that will house both science artefacts and works of art. It is clad in anodised aluminium panels to complement the local ironstone colour and will cantilever over the entrance.

The changes in the height of the new building, and the modern and varied glazing which will provide views into the building, reflect the interesting mix of architecture throughout the school historic setting. A variety of materials are proposed for the street frontage with both partial and glimpsed views into the site, offering visual interest from the public realm. ORMS adopted Passivhaus principles for the design, making use of existing sustainable and low energy technologies located adjacent to the site including combined heat and power and a water conservation system. The main sustainability and energy strategy was driven by the desire to provide exceptional comfort conditions for building users by minimising the energy consumption. It was also important that the school’s new science building should promote and explain green technology to the pupils.

The practice has recently completed the award-winning Sports Centre and in 2007 the Paul David Music School for Uppingham School.

Uppingham School Science Block – Building Information

Client: Uppingham School
Development Adviser: Abstract Securities
Structural Engineer: Brookbanks Consulting
Mechanical and Electrical: Ramboll
PM / QS: Davis Langdon, an AECOM Company
Science input: Abell Nepp
CDMC: Blackrock Safety

Uppingham School Science Building images / information from S&R

Another Uppingham School Building design by ORMS on e-architect:

23 Jan 2009

Uppingham School Science Block + Sports Centre

ORMS gets planning go-head for contemporary building in historic Uppingham

Planning permission has just been granted for a new £12m Sports Centre at Uppingham School which will be used by the local community as well as providing exceptional facilities for students.

The contemporary design proposed by ORMS will sit sensitively within the context of the historic school buildings and town of Uppingham where ORMS also has recently completed the Paul David Music School.

Sport and social activities are an integral part of Uppingham School’s ethos and ORMS have created a building that facilitates and celebrates them by providing an inspirational backdrop for sporting events. The design recognises that sport is not just about the game itself, but is an experience enjoyed by its participants, spectators and coaching staff. The new Sports centre will provide for all.

ORMS’ concept for the 50,000 sq ft development is to create a series of routes between and around the volumes which seamlessly integrate with the landscape, existing building pattern and the traditions of Uppingham architecture.

To achieve this, the design articulates the overall building into three related but distinct volumes allowing each to have a sense of identity. Each volume – Pool and Fitness Centre, Sports Hall and Gymnasium – is articulated to respond to the surrounding landscape and building pattern.

The Pool and Fitness Centre volume, as the entrance and most visible part of the composition, acknowledges the school and public approaches to the Sports Centre and frames the southern end of the first XV rugby pitch. The solidity of the external stone wall predominates, and the placing of the tall vertical windows mark the entrance colonnade. The stone wall becomes more transparent at the western end making the view from the Leicester Road a cool, calm and ordered fusion of glass and stone. A distinctive zinc roof line unifies the whole north elevation, and seen from a distance the roof will blend with the buildings behind.

The Sports Hall is located to the south of the Pool and Fitness Centre and continues the theme of stone. To break down the scale ORMS have introduced a horizontal band of Flemish bond brickwork at high level and large glazed sections at ground level giving views into the building, animating the journey towards the entrance.. Adjacent to the Sports Hall, the Gymnasium forms a contrast; a distinct building clad in bronzed copper sheet with a raked facade and large window openings onto a secluded garden. The Gymnasium and secluded garden are the surprise elements on the journey around the building and are not readily visible from the formal approaches to the building.

The Sports Centre will incorporate a number of Energy Efficient features such as Combined Heat and Power, Solar Collectors, Natural Ventilation and Rainwater Harvesting.

The aim of the design is to create a collection of contemporary buildings that will enhance the heritage of the school and local area. The Sports Centre will be contemporary and innovative, yet sensitive to existing buildings and the town.

Work starts on site at the beginning of 2009 and the Sports Centre is due for completion in the summer of 2010.

Uppingham School Sports Centre Building images / information from S&R

Uppingham School Sports Centre design : ORMS

Location: Uppingham School, Rutland, England, UK