Fairfield Secondary School

A secondary school for 1120 pupils providing greater accessibility and inclusion in education provision.

We designed this school as a vertical school on 6 levels with galleried classrooms set around an internal school 'piazza' and gathering space.

The school integrates the 11-16 secondary school with a specialist deaf centre to form an inclusive environment of a 'school within a school'.

The hilltop setting affords panoramic views over the city of Bristol. The sloping site is transformed into a learning garden, receiving sunlight and warmth from its southwesterly aspect. Ecology garden, games areas, social play spaces, and drama theatre are grouped as a series of outdoor rooms utilising the different levels of the site.

Brief

  • greater accessibility and inclusion
  • inspirational and aspirational

Results

  • a very popular and oversubscribed school
  • a national flagship for inclusion
  • a landmark on the city’s skyline

Facts

Location: Bristol
Client: Bristol City Council
Construction cost: £17m (FF&E £300,000)
Completed: 2006

Integrated services

architecture, interior design (FF&E), environmental engineering, structural engineering, landscaping, acoustics

Links to images