Nicholas Hare Architects LLP

Cornelius Vermuyden School

Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson

CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN SCHOOL

Nicholas Hare Architects

ARCHITECT
Nicholas Hare Architects

CATEGORY
Schools

PROJECT YEAR
2012

AREA
8061.0 sqm

MANUFACTURERS
Architectural Panel Solutions

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jim Stephenson

Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson
Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson

Text description provided by architect.

Cornelius Vermuyden School is a co-educational school for 900 students aged 11-16 located on a flat, open site on Canvey Island.

Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson
Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson

The school is predominantly new-build, but an existing hall has been incorporated and reinvented as a centre for design technology and art. A central ‘gallery’ links the teaching clusters, sports hall, and LRC, widening locally to create generous spaces for the entrance hall, dining and the display of artwork.

Rich external environments for recreation and learning are formed between the wings. A restrained yet robust palette of external materials includes yellow stock brick, perforated bronze-anodized aluminium and untreated timber.

Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson
Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson

The Headteacher’s aspiration was for a school that would be inclusive, welcoming and academically ambitious in a particularly deprived part of the country.

The design was to reflect and support the school’s visual arts specialism while providing a variety of exceptional environments for learning and teaching, both within the building and in the grounds.

Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson
Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson

The new building was also required to be a catalyst for community involvement and cohesion, offering opportunities for local people both in terms of extended learning and recreation (sports, exhibitions etc.)

Cornelius Vermuyden School
Cornelius Vermuyden School
© Jim Stephenson


Cornelius Vermuyden School
Plan
Cornelius Vermuyden School
Plan
Cornelius Vermuyden School
Site Plan


Cornelius Vermuyden School
Elevation
Cornelius Vermuyden School
Elevation


Cornelius Vermuyden School
Section

Nicholas Hare Architects LLP
T +44 20 76191670
Nicholas Hare Architects LLP
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