Member Article

Gradon Architecture reveal plans for 24-bed residential school in Killingworth

Ryton-based Gradon Architecture have revealed plans for a 24-bed residential school and hydrotherapy pool in Killingworth for youngsters with complex needs.

If planning permission is approved, the school and accommodation will be built at the Percy Hedley Foundation’s existing site West Lane site.

Gradon has received a “supportive” response from North Tyneside Council from the Pre-Application Enquiry for the plans to build the new 24-bed home, and will be submitting a full planning application within the next two weeks.

The design includes features such as wide corridors and terraces to enable multiple wheelchair use and the provision of a hydrotherapy pool.

The buildings provide living space including accessible kitchens, quiet areas for study, and individual bedrooms.

Graham McDarby, design director of Gradon Architecture, said: “I have worked with the Percy Hedley Foundation previously and I am delighted to be working with them again as part of Gradon Architecture.

“I am a big supporter of their work and our team is actively involved in fundraising events for the charity. Our partnership builds on our award-winning designs for the North East Autism Society’s New Warlands Farm project for autistic children.”

“It’s important that architecture improves people’s lives through excellent design that allows people to live well and enables them to achieve.

“We have put a lot of thought into how the spaces will work primarily as a home as well as a learning space for the youngsters who will live there and for their families and staff.

“We have put users at the core of the integrated design so that everything is on one site and the new school and living space will help to meet the demand in the North East for long-term residential places for youngsters with complex needs.”

Students at the current Percy Hedley School at Killingworth follow the National Curriculum and curriculums tailored to their own needs. It is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted but the school, college and living accommodation are on split sites which presents difficulties in terms of ease of access, costs and transport.

Carole Harder, chief executive at The Percy Hedley Foundation, said: “As an Ofsted Outstanding provider of specialist education for disabled children and young people we are experiencing a growth in demand for our services.

“We want to help youngsters develop skills and confidence through communal and independent living and study, in a place where they can feel truly at home.

“The current residential accommodation in North Tyneside has been converted over the years and we need to extend our provision to meet the growing demand. Accessibility, assisted living and independence are at the heart of the Gradon Architecture designs and, if approved, this purpose-built scheme would make a world of difference.”

The project partnership includes Portland Construction (structural and civil engineers) and RPS (mechanical and electrical engineers) and the project managers are Identity Consult. If approved, the project is planned for completion by September 2017.

Peter Howells, associate at Identity Consult, said: “The whole team has been working to a tight timescale to get everything ready in terms of design for the planning submission and contractor procurement in time to start this autumn, if all goes to plan. We are working with an exciting design that the whole team is proud of.

“We have close links with the Percy Hedley Foundation and members of our team are taking part in their Challenge 500 – a seed fund to inspire companies to raise money for the charity.”

Stuart Long, technical director at the RPS Group, said: “We’ve proposed an energy-efficient heating system utilising electric heat pumps to ensure a minimal impact on the site’s gas demand and solar thermal panels will be installed to pre-heat the domestic hot water.

“Underfloor heating will provide a comfortable and safe environment for residents and users throughout the home and the changing areas of the pool.”

Mark Grant, director at Portland Consulting, said: “We have made a conscious effort to ensure that the structure allows flexibility for future adaptations to suit users’ needs, and this fits in with Gradon Architecture’s design goals such as sustainability, care and efficiency. We have also designed the building to minimize the use of materials to help keep the costs down.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .