Oldham Schools PFI project, Building, Project, News, Design, Property, Image Key Development, north Manchester, northwest England, UK e-architect			World Architecture : index Architecture News World Buildings
Oldham Schools PFI project : Architecture Information
Oldham Schools PFI project, Oldham and Manchester Architects Co-Partnership Ltd Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award Finalist 2009 About the project The Radclyffe School, Oldham, and Failsworth School, Manchester, have both been rebuilt under this ambitious PFI project. The schools occupied multiple sites and the goal was to bring each school back to a single location. The council wanted to create state of the art facilities which would raise pupil aspirations and also be valued by the whole community. Attendance levels and exam results have already improved. The designs are based around a central covered ‘street’, linking the rectilinear and curvilinear blocks housing different faculties. The street acts as a meeting place and provides a flexible resource in the heart of the school. The spacious, modern learning environments help young people to feel comfortable and react positively, boosting their confidence and ambition. External materials contrast with the local style, helping the schools stand out as beacons. Landscaped areas are planted with native species, encouraging biodiversity. Collaboration between the school communities and the design team was fundamental. Both schools demonstrate that affordability and design quality are not mutually exclusive and can be delivered successfully through a PFI project. Judges' comment "A covered ‘street’ connects the buildings in each of these 1,500 place secondary schools which have delighted students and teachers." Client: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Principal designer: Architects Co-Partnership Ltd Principal contractor: Kier North West Contract value: £54.3 million School Buildings Manchester Buildings Office Buildings World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe Comments / photos for the Oldham Schools PFI project Manchester Architecture page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk Oldham Schools PFI project Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt			Key Links: Manchester Housing Architecture Studios Contemporary Interiors New Houses English Architects English Architecture Manchester Architects Manchester Architecture