The design is a creative and bespoke response to a unique brief – developed through engagement with client and building users.
Lime Tree Primary School – designed using Laing O’Rourke’s new SELECT modular assembly system – represents a step-change in the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach. As one of the UK’s first ‘forest’ schools, its highly specialised environment prioritises outdoor learning and direct engagement with nature. As such, the striking design reflects the school’s desire to be an innovative, education catalyst, while delivering value to the client in a post-BSF landscape.
The design concept responded to the school’s unique role in a very direct and visible way. Atkins’ design proposals explored how the relationship of the buildings to outside space could be exploited to maximise access and integration of the activities with the surrounding landscape.
A low-tech, high performance building that is sympathetic to its surroundings and delivers excellent conditions for learning and teaching.
At Lime Tree the innovative use of DfMA has helped realise a vision sooner, cheaper and with considerable panache.
The solution provides a stimulating learning environment through a series of intimate pavilions which are placed within a nurturing landscape, connected by a network of sheltered external routes and ‘forest clearings’ that define a rich variety of spaces: market gardens, outdoor classrooms as well as places to eat, play and learn.
Through its use of off-site construction, Lime Tree stands as an exemplar which can help schools nationally meet increasing demographic demands. The ability to combine standard units in different configurations will enable unique and totally flexible solutions to meet differing school cultures and pedagogies.
The design is a creative and bespoke response to a unique brief – developed through engagement with client and building users. The innovative use of DfMA has helped realise the vision sooner and cheaper without compromising the client’s vision or design quality.