High level view looking over the ‘Piazza Cafe’ across the ‘Dining Lake’ and beyond to the Learning Resource Centre.
Gateacre School, a new school in Liverpool for 1,800 students, wanted their spaces to spark creativity in their young people – they wanted them to be fun. FFE consultants Spacezero focused on the school’s classrooms and central atrium, a three-storey space split into a reception, informal dining area, formal dining space and learning resource centre.
Using images generated from the BIM model to help visualise the atrium along with aspirational images and hand sketches, allowed the school to get fully involved in developing the new look Gateacre. Creative designs and punchy colour schemes made sure the atrium was attractive from vantage points on all levels. Headteacher, Gerard Lonergan, and Business Manager Ian Thornhill, drove the project with enthusiasm, encouraging the designers to extend the original brief. Originally the LRC was to be fully enclosed but collectively it was instead decided that it should be part of an open-plan, organic atrium.
Piazza style cafe area – with feature banquette seating unit and living olive tree.
Learning Resource Centre ‘Reading Lawn’ – with artificial turf and decor end panels with iconic views of Liverpool.
The design of distinct spaces inspired by land, river and sea allows the outside to be channelled into the central space. Students enjoy features such as an olive tree enclosed in the centre of the banquette seating, an immediate reminder of the outdoors. The dining space has rich blue hues, intended to imitate a wave.
With a budget of only £140,000 for the FFE it was a challenge to meet the school’s high expectations, but working collaboratively and sharing a common vision helped ensure the spaces delight and engage the students.
‘It was a great experience to work with the team, not only on the technical side of sourcing furniture and products but also in getting involved with the designs. There should be an added mention for the way in which Spacezero interpreted the visions in my head and turned them into tangible designs that really have made this school aesthetically outstanding.’
Gerard Lonergan, Headteacher.