Haworth Tompkins Ltd

Birmingham Schools Framework

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Ioana Marinescu

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOLS FRAMEWORK

Haworth Tompkins

ARCHITECTS
Haworth Tompkins

AREA
6000.0 m2

LOCATION
Birmingham, England

PROJECT YEAR
2012

CATEGORY
Schools

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton

Text description provided by architect.

Park View Secondary School in Birmingham has been radically transformed by architects Haworth Tompkins as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, providing a template for low-cost interventions in schools across the country.

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton

The school is situated in inner-city Alum Rock, the 3rd most deprived area of Birmingham with a predominantly Muslim population. Results have improved dramatically in recent years, going from 4% of pupils gaining five or more A-C grades at GCSE in the late 1990s to 72% in 2011.

The site was a collage of buildings dating from the 1960s onwards, most of which were in poor condition and suffered a variety of problems including bad connections, overcrowded corridors and a lack of daylight.

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Ioana Marinescu

Haworth Tompkins were selected to rebuild and rejuvenate the entire school on a budget of £8.5 million, or £1400 per square metre.

Graham Haworth, Director at Haworth Tompkins said:

“Park View School was in many ways typical of schools in the UK and shared many common problems.

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Ioana Marinescu
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Ioana Marinescu

This project demonstrates that by working with the existing building stock, ‘de-silting’ it, introducing creative additions, and making simple but thoughtful improvements to the whole, a first class learning environment can be created to reflect the academic excellence this school has achieved.”

A new circulation spine connects the many disparate elements and a previously inaccessible courtyard has been transformed by larch-clad covered walkways to create a sheltered, collegiate atmosphere. This new ‘Quad’ is a shared amenity that can be used to meet, pray, study and dine.

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton

The choice of timber is multi-layered: It provides an attractive, robust, maintenance free enclosure, and its organic nature contrasts with the tough urbanity of the surrounding buildings.

Internally, the narrow corridors have been opened up creating breakout areas, or ‘social learning zones’, around which staff offices are located.

Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton

These reduce congestion, increase passive supervision and allow daylight into the space, in addition to creating informal learning spaces outside of the classroom.


Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton
Birmingham Schools Framework
© Richard Haughton


Birmingham Schools Framework
Birmingham Schools Framework
Birmingham Schools Framework
Birmingham Schools Framework


Birmingham Schools Framework

Haworth Tompkins Ltd
T +44 20 72503225
Haworth Tompkins Ltd
110 Golden Ln, London EC1Y 0TL, United Kingdom