Anthony Roper

Eynsford, Kent

School Project | Sustainable Project

image showing sustainable school project design

The new early years building at the Anthony Roper Primary School is located on the site of a series of dilapidated outbuildings.

Situated at the foot of the school grounds and adjacent to the river Darent, the site offered much promise, whilst also being challenging as it is designated Green Belt land.

Sketch showing thought process of sustainable school project
Sketch showing design intentions of school project
Sketch showing thought process of sustainable school project
Sketch showing design intentions of school project
Existing site condition

Architecture in the Green Belt

It was the riverside setting that inspired the concept of a ‘Dragon Fly’ with the classrooms located under the wings and its body articulated with a Sedum roof housing reception, staff room and other ancillary accommodation.

The design was supported by Parish Council and Maidstone Council and Shape Architecture achieved planning permission for a striking and creative building in a Green Belt setting.

3d image showing model of sustainable school
3D context model with proposal
image showing sustainable school project design
image showing sustainable school project design
image showing sedum roof and rooflight on sustainable school project

Inspirational design concepts

The classrooms sit under a raking roof with high level clerestory glazing and as such each is filled with natural light.  A sun tube brings natural light over the teaching kitchenette.  Each classroom has an ‘eye’ as the children call it, a way to observe the river bank as if in a bird hide in the form of frameless glazed windows in each corner of the classroom.

Harnessing the great outdoors

Activities spill out from the classroom via timber bridges and steps.  To one side a Corten steel canopy provides shelter for the children.  Cut into this canopy is a series of holes in wave formation, containing glass panels and when the sun shines coloured shafts of light play on the timber walls and decking.  The walk into the school entrance is characterised by its garden setting and vegetable garden.

image showing sustainable school project design
image showing sustainable school project design
image showing interior of sustainable school project design
image showing sustainable school project design
2D rendered image showing floor plan of sustainable school project
Floor plan of Anthony Roper School
Image showing render of sustainable school project
Roof plan of Anthony Roper School
image showing structure of community school in kent
Steelwork construction for community school with timber infill
image showing structure of community school in kent
Steelwork construction for community school with timber infill
image showing structure of community school in kent
Steelwork construction for community school with timber infill