A purpose built KS2 primary school centred around healthy learning environments. Holbrook Primary School is a 1.5FE place primary school in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. On site were 4 ageing mobile classrooms, at the end of their serviceable life. Footprint architects were appointed to replace the existing buildings with a new set of classrooms.

At the public consultation Footprint architects engaged the school's children, teachers, parents and local community in multiple presentations including an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience allowing you to step into the new spaces. The school chose a group of students to take up special roles throughout the project's design and construction phase providing opportunities to learn the job roles of architects and contractors.

Working closely with the Head Teacher and Council the new school building responds and enhances the existing school’s site creating child centred external learning spaces consisting of new play, garden and courtyard areas.

The building uses a simple architectural form that is sympathetic to the local residential setting with detailing influenced by the classical historical architecture in Trowbridge. Further considerations were taken to maximise the ecology on the site minimising the impact to the tree line, protecting the privacy of the neighbours.

External timber cladding and brickwork is combined to create banding and texture reflecting the hierarchical design of the local 18th and 19th Century Georgian and Victorian Architecture. New glazed openings use traditional Georgian proportions and styles which form a colonnade facade to the new courtyard to create welcoming and well-illuminated learning spaces. The facade is further enhanced with the playful addition of heritage green frames complementing the white timber and pink bricks. Tactile cladding also encourages a stimulating engagement between the built form and the children within their external play spaces.

The internal spaces are of a matching style, with high vaulted ceilings, and abundance of natural light creates a stimulating and healthy learning environment for KS2 pupils. The colonnade corridor strengthens the connection between the classrooms and external play spaces whilst large corner windows provide a social connection with the school’s field and garden.