The Mandeville SEN and Horsenden Primary Schools are recently constructed extensions to existing schools with the same program. The schools are located in the London Borough of Ealing and are within a suburban context. The architects, Architype sought to integrate the proposal coherently with the urban context and existing construction in terms of the materials and proportions but adopt environmental adaptive design strategies for optimum thermal comfort, daylighting and ventilation leading to a BREEAM 2011 credit.
The research process formulated by the group began with a complete site study in terms of the site context, particularly relating the new construction to the existing in terms of environmental and comfort parameters. A series of readings were taken to understand the lighting, shading, temperature and wind flow patterns round the site. This was done in conjunction with similar indoor studies, for both teaching and multi-purpose spaces.