Tallaght, Co/ Dublin

EPCA’s scheme for a new Post Primary School in Kingswood was in accordance with the RIAI Competition requirements for an exemplar school design approach that could be applied to other sites. Consideration as to how the Design could be adapted or adopted elsewhere was therefore a key design driver to the process.
The site area identified for the new School was significant and included a sharp ‘dog-leg’ footprint within the site. The proposed design provides a site specific response to the considerably sloping site. The main natural feature within the site was the existing hedgegrow and open waterway that bisected the site, West – East. The ‘dog leg’ and topography was reflected in the proposed pedestrian and vehicular entry points to the upper and lower gradient level areas, the proximity to the adjacent Primary School to the immediate North- East and the open public areas to the immediate east.
The playing areas to the north of the site were positioned to serve both the new Post Primary School and the existing Primary School. The upper field on the southern part of the site is proposed to provide for future Adult Education and Public Library Facilities, allowing the whole site to be planned as a ‘Life Long Learning Campus’ providing education facilities for Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Post Leaving and Adult Education Programmes.
The Building Plans comprise three distinct 2 or 3 storey blocks of accommodation planned to facilitate multiple points of access to the General Purpose / Dining Area, Sports Building and also the Special Education Needs Suite. This strategy greatly assists wayfinding as well as providing a natural daylight internal / external environment within the Common Areas, Circulation and Social areas.
The general classrooms, toilets, Special Tuition Offices have been located over multiple floors in stacked arrangements for vertical and horizontal proximity and to assist in the organisation of the student faculty.
The Special Education Needs Suite has been located on the S-E elevation to provide for private external areas as briefed, with proximate parking and private entrance. Although clearly defined in terms of its footprint it is central to the overall school and has views over the waterway feature.
The Plans incorporate a number of social areas which will become key ‘hub’ spaces for the Students and Staff. Wherever possible these have been located to afford external views over the proposed Waterway area – which straddles the upper and lower fields – and will become the heart of the school.
The main internal circulation spine which connects all three blocks also has a key social ‘pod’ on the bridge at Level 1 and 2 to provide a ‘stop off’ between Classroom and Common Areas to take advantage of the elevated views to the S-E across the water / landscape feature.
The building is proposed to incorporate clean and contemporary detailing utilizing robust, quality materials to ensure the longevity of the façade appearance with little maintenance required.