Planning approval has been secured by Hardcastle Architects to improve the main entrance, reception and overall entrance experience at the Larkswood Primary School. New gates and improved security from the street, external landscaping, lighting, seating, cycle parking, trees, benches, entrance canopy, new glazed reception screen and doors, new reception and an additional meeting room are to be provided. The additional internal spaces has been found through the rationalization of underused and poorly planned internal space.

Planning approval granted. Works due to commence early 2016.

The existing school toilets were not ideally placed around the school: no toilets were directly accessible from the playground; and all in need of refurbishment. Working with the school we came up with a plan to consolidate all of the toilets together with direct access from the playground and from the main school corridor.

At break time the toilets would only be accessible from the playground, and during lessons only accessible from inside. The toilets were arranged to allow for good direct passive supervision from the corridor and playground via glazed entry doors looking directly along the cubicle frontages and vanity area.

Pleasant hard wearing durable materials, fixtures and fittings were selected for longevity. For hand washing, solid surface built-in recessed hand wash dryer units (ref Wallgate Thrii) were installed to avoid the traditional high maintenance basins, taps, paper towel etc arrangement.

The work was carried out over the summer break for use in the new Autumn term.

Project completed Sept 2015. Awaiting final photos.

Following the transformation of the Edmonton County School Bury Campus entrance, Hardcastle Architects were appointed to re-model the Cambridge Campus library. The library is a well-lit double height space that was originally used as a gym. There was (just) sufficient headroom to insert a new mezzanine level to provide additional reading and study space and increase the amount of shelf space for books. The new mezzanine and stair are fabricated from slim steel sections that remain exposed with a durable paint finish. The glazed balustrade and book shelves are arranged to provide good supervision from the librarian’s desk. Perforated timber panelling was used for the mezzanine soffit and rear wall for sound absorbency to reduce background noise.

Client: Edmonton County School. Completed summer 2014

  

An Academy secondary school for 11—18 year olds for ARK Schools. This is a Zaha Hadid Architects building where Matthew Hardcastle worked prior to founding Matthew Hardcastle Architects and was the project architect from inception to completion.A linear 4 storey building, with an articulated appearance driven by the ‘Schools within Schools’ organization that sits comfortably in the mainly residential context. The building and landscape are intricately linked to maximize the minimal site space and create a series of varied external spaces. A running track runs across the site linking the main entrances and central reception.

This building won the Stirling Prize 2011.

Client: ARK Schools. School opened Sept 2010

      

Hardcastle Architects were commissioned by the Edmonton County School in January 2012 to re-design the entrance, reception, and staff spaces for their Bury Campus site. The intention was to re-lay out the spaces and provide an open welcoming reception with good quality work spaces for the administration and teaching staff. The building was stripped back to its structure and the majority of services removed. Asbestos was also identified and safely removed. The work was successfully completed on time and budget to a high standard of finish and handed back to the school in time for the second half of the autumn term.

Edmonton County School & Enfield Council, completed Oct 2012