Warley Road School, Halifax
Hawdon Russell Architects had already undertaken several projects at Warley Road School when we were approached to design a new school dining hall.
The school is in a deprived area of Halifax and it was important that the building was inspiring and uplifting. It is designed in order that the schoolchildren would be able to clearly read how it is put together (emphasised and articulated by a colourful palette of different materials) and for it to embody low energy and sustainability principles.
The building comprises integrated and complementary systems for heating such as orientation (with seasonal shading) for passive solar gains in combination with active solar energy collection (photovoltaics) and an air source heat pump. Northlights provide high levels of natural light and LED artificial lighting works via daylight sensors.
The floor of the dining hall and kitchen is at street level (enabling large food deliveries) and this created the opportunity to also make a covered play area below it, at playground level.
On completion of the construction of the building the children filled the planters in front of the brise soleil with deciduous climbing plants in order to provide seasonal shading. The roof is covered in beautiful, flowering sedums.
We were delighted to hear that the children refer to the dining hall as the ‘Sunshine Room’.
...it has always been a pleasure working with Hawdon Russell Architects, who have made dramatic and impressive improvements to the environment here." - Janet Foster, Warley Road School Business Manager
