SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2005

Commended

Sheffield Design and Project Management: Sheffield
Chaucer School Consolidation

Chaucer Secondary is a mixed comprehensive school located within an area of acute social deprivation in Sheffield. Since the 1970s it had been operating from two groups of buildings situated at opposite ends of the school playing fields.

In 1999 Sheffield Design and Property were asked to prepare a scheme to consolidate all the facilities on the primary, Wordsworth Avenue site, within a secure, defined boundary.

The solution involved converting the laboratory and workshop areas within the existing buildings into classrooms, to enable the creation of properly suited teaching departments. An existing, single storey science block at the front of the school was also converted into a distinctive, brightly coloured Music and Drama facility. These buildings were then linked with a new two storey Science and Technology block, containing an atrium and the new entrance and administrative areas, to form a fresh heart to the school.

Lastly, a new Sports Hall and changing accommodation was constructed as a separate, linked wing with direct access to the playing fields.

The new buildings have been designed to blend with the existing, both now and in the future, when it is intended that a comprehensive refurbishment of the latter will take place.

Architectural Practice Manager: Jim Breakey
Project Leader:Jim Sterling
Architectural Assistant: Paul Dronfield
Quantity Surveyor:Jim Memmott
Structural Engineer:Dick Cubison
Mechanical Engineer: Kevin Wilde
Electrical Engineer:Rodger Biddles
Main Contractor:Henry Boot Construction (UK) Limited