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Founded in 1879, GSSArchitecture is one of the leading

national architectural, lead consultant and cost

management practices. We have eight partners and a

total strength of around 60 staff, and with offices in

Northampton, Bristol, Kettering and Harrogate we cover

the whole of England and Wales. We have substantial

experience across all sectors, with a number of “blue

chip” companies and organisations among our clients.

GSS Architecture has developed a national specialism in

education and, in particular, creating new innovative solutions for learning space within existing buildings. This

has been developed through the practice’s involvement in the DFE space for personalised learning programme and

the BCES ‘free schools thinking’ research group.

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BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE

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LEARNSPACE

Learnspace is a unique national education research

facility created from a redundant commercial building. The scheme provides a flexible environment for uni-

versity and commercially backed research into how

people learn and how learning environments effect and enhance the process and experience of learning.

The idea grew from a national exercise carried out by

Partnership for Schools called ‘Space for Personalised Learning’. This project involved consulting and work-

ing with a range of schools, students, parents and

professionals to establish how they currently operate and how they might operate differently.

A redundant commercial building was acquired, and a

design developed to deliver a range of flexible inter-

nal and external spaces to promote research. A con-cept was established through consultation that would

allow internal and external spaces to open up and work together, ensuring continual flexibility.

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LEARNSPACE

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ABINGTON VALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Stirling House, formerly unused office accommodation, has been transformed into an annexe of Abington Vale Primary

School.

The design brief was to create flexible, open teaching facilities

with informal break-out spaces and group rooms. The environ-ment can be personalised and large spaces can be divided very

easily through the use of sliding doors. The provision of multi-function spaces supports a range of flexible learning, new ap-

proaches and teaching styles.

BEFORE

BEFORE

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ABINGTON VALE PRIMARY SCHOOL

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DESIGN CENTRE

The Design Centre was a refurbishment of an existing

1960’s building and forms part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the whole school.

The design challenge was to incorporate the vacant sports hall and changing rooms into the new design

centre and create a dynamic, inspiring and flexible space for CDT.

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ST. JOHN FISHER

GSS Architecture was commissioned to completely

remodel and extend the St John Fisher Catholic High School.

The project incorporated many sustainable features such as group source heat pumps, solar hot water

and a wind turbine.

The scheme accommodates new classrooms, a library, a sports hall and all weather pitches. The

project achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ and

was the winner of the International Green Apple Award for the Built Environment 2010.

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ST. JOHN FISHER

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APPLIED LEARNING CENTRE

The Applied Learning Centre was a conversion of a

disused sports hall, together with the construction of a linked two-storey extension. It provides outstanding

new facilities for a range of vocational subjects.

The building was refurbished with new services,

internal walls, glazing and roof. Facilities on the ground floor include a reception, salon, travel centre,

ICT studio, offices and study areas. The first floor accommodates open plan ICT areas, media editing

facilities and classrooms. A lift has also been provided

to ensure independent access to all areas.

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ENGLISH CENTRE

The English Centre provides new classrooms, media

suites, recording studios and flexible learning spaces connected to a roof terrace which are used for drama

and poetry readings.

The success of this project is evident in the opening

up of previously narrow complex circulation routes, which now provide engaging spaces that can be used

as breakout spaces and for informal group study.

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THE NEWTON BUILDING

This grade II listed building was refurbished to house

the new School of Applied Sciences. The scheme includes research facilities, 3D modelling and

visualisation suites and a suite of immersive virtual

reality technology, which are used to design products such as engines and cars.

It is believed to be the first time in the UK that small

to medium sized businesses have gained access to this high level of technology.

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THE NEWTON BUILDING

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SCIENCE CENTRE

The Science Centre provides a series of formal and

informal learning spaces, using an existing 1960’s two-storey building. The building was re-clad externally,

given a new identity and upgraded generally. The

centre now provides an accessible, inclusive, flexible, interactive and dynamic science learning

environment.

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SCIENCE CENTRE

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BEFORE

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DORMSTON PLC

An existing building of poor architectural quality was

transformed using a timber framed vertical extension. This economical solution created an attractive, three-

storey building and saved valuable space within the

school site.

The PLC is used as a venue for career coaching, after school clubs, research skills and author visits. The

building also accommodates a network of computers, a library and other learning resources.

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PERSONALISED LEARNING AND DINING

This project involved the refurbishment of a poorly

planned internal space. The scheme provides various spaces for learning, group work, social interaction

and dining.

The concept was to promote the merging of learning

dining and socialising. It provides a space for staff and students to meet and work. The space also

delivers a welcoming first impression for visitors to the school, which reflects the school’s learning ethos.

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MALCOLM ARNOLD ACADEMY

This £5m scheme has transformed the heart of the

school, creating a dynamic and inspiring space within the existing atrium. The atrium is now a multi-use

space, incorporating areas for breakout teaching,

exhibition and dining.

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MALCOLM ARNOLD ACADEMY

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