Chatham Primary School

The Brief

This project, arranged via the BER scheme, was the latest in a long history of collaborative projects between Genem and Chatham Primary School. Genem were engaged to produce a free-standing block of classrooms, to assist with the continuing development and growth of the school. As the school is located on a comparatively small block of land, it was crucial to that the new building did not encroach on the school's playing field. Genem employed previously-used relocatable buildings to create the framework of the new block, and built two levels of classrooms in order to economise on space.

A block of eight classrooms was created, comprising of four classrooms to each level. Operable walls were used on both levels, creating modern and fully flexible learning spaces. Each classroom also has access to a covered outside learning area, with see-through glass balustrades to allow for a greater open relation between the inside space and the natural outside environment. Transparent laserlite roofing was used to create plenty of natural lighting inside the rooms. Genem was also able to provide toilets, a computer room, and a teacher’s space on each level. As with many Genem projects, the teacher's room has ample supervisory space, being able to monitor the computer room and classrooms.

The project was completed in April 2011.