Enjoy A Distinctive Learning Expereince at School's 'Tree House'

A series of classrooms and a replacement library of the Royal Wootton Bassett Infant School in Wiltshire, the town of Wootton, has just been completed by NVB Architects. Primary School's 'tree house' is designed to create a practical, dynamic, and fun learning atmosphere, allowing students to refresh their bodies and minds as they move around the school environment.

Primary School's 'Tree House' View from the Street, Photo by Tom Glendinning

The site has a steep slope, so the design was developed as two buildings connected to the bridge access from the upper level, with a dynamically arranged playground connecting the main school, new classrooms, and a library.

Main courtyard of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

The school is for students aged four to seven with the concept of 'learning is fun'. The design of this school prioritizes play and external learning to support student's social and emotional development by providing a lively and inclusive environment for students and staff.

Main courtyard of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

Outdoor stairs of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

This design uses a multi-phase approach, so it is necessary for construction with school rearrangement. NVB Architects applies this approach by utilizing the sloping ground on the site that functions as an amphitheater arranged like the contours of a hillside, providing a new place for learning and social play in schools, which creates additional opportunities to release energy and improve concentration in lessons with flexible spaces.

Classroom hallway of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

Library Deck of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

The main block has two roofs adjacent to the sloping site, creating a tall building at once as the school's boundary with the highway. The building accommodates four classrooms, changing rooms, toilets, and SEN support rooms. The second building is the 'tree house' of the timber library, placed on a sloping site. Although, at first glance, the building is designed like a stilt house with a deck. Access to the library is reached via a 'forest-like' bridge with landscape views of the play area below. NVB Architects puts the library on purpose to make a trip to the library an adventure.

Primary School's 'Tree House' site plan, Source by NVB Architects

Primary School's 'Tree House' 2nd floor, Source by NVB Architects

In the classroom section, NVB Architects is designed with a flexible room so students can study freely and change positions. Besides that, the classroom has a large niche window for small group work and games.

Classroom of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

Classroom hallway of Primary School's 'Tree House', Photo by Tom Glendinning

This project was selected for the RIBA South West regional award because NVB Architects succeeded in making this school an exciting space for students and teachers to do flexible learning and safe from harmful things.