Pencoedtre High School, Barry Wales, New Welsh Building Development, Architecture Project
Pencoedtre High School in Barry
16 Mar 2022
Architecture: HLM Architects
Location: Barry, Wales, UK
Pencoedtre High School, Wales
Designed by HLM and built by Bouygues UK, the Pencoedtre High School project forms part of a £34.7 million investment into the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, a long-term strategic investment in schools and colleges throughout Wales developed by the Vale Council and Welsh Government.
Built over a two-year construction period, the new school provides modern facilities catering for up to 1,100 pupils, including sixth form students, with additional amenities to accommodate pupils with enhanced learning needs.
The school includes two three-storey teaching wings, connected by wide corridors and large windows to increase ventilation, centred around an open plan dining hall, main hall, and courtyard. The design incorporated state-of-the-art music studios, science labs and a fitness suite, alongside a full-size sports hall that connects directly to the external sporting facilities, also designed by HLM, which are expected to be open to the local community outside of school hours. The external sporting facilities, which are under construction, offer a high-quality, multi-functional area that can be used to enhance learning and wellbeing, with spaces for socialising, learning, recreation and relaxing.
The focus on the local community has been evident throughout the project, as student ambassadors worked with the contractors to give pupils exclusive access to the site throughout construction, enabling them to learn about different stages of the build. As a result, the “topping out” ceremony was marked through some of the student ambassadors signing the building’s main beam.
Gareth Woodfin, Cardiff Studio Director, HLM Architects, said: “It’s great to see the school open and the students using the new facilities. Our design creates a welcoming educational environment that reflects the area’s rich industrial history. These new facilities will provide students with the resources they need to excel academically while extending support to the local community by acting as a central hub for residents in the surrounding area, aligning with our design philosophy to help positively shape the areas we serve.”
Work on site is continuing with the demolition of the old school and construction of the external sporting facilities, with full completion expected in February 2023.
Pencoedtre High School in Barry, Wales – Building Information
Design: HLM Architects – hlmarchitects.com
Location: Barry, South Wales
Pencoedtre High School, Wales images / information received 160322
Location: Barry, Wales, UK, north western Europe
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Comments / photos for the Pencoedtre High School, Wales Architecture design by HLM page welcome
