Lyde Green School | Bristol

The new neighborhood of Lyde Green, northeast of Bristol, requires new primary and secondary schools to educate the children. In response to the climate emergency, these two adjoining schools will both be built to the Passivhaus model. Passivhaus is an international design standard for buildings leading to greatly reduced energy consumption and ensuring high levels of comfort and health.

The external area design for both schools will provide as much hard informal play space as practical. Much of this is in the form of wider, open spaces where children can run and play. In addition, both schools have courtyards containing rain gardens with planting and seating, providing quieter, sheltered areas. There will be habitat areas, cover outdoor classroom areas and both schools will be wrapped in hedges and trees to ensure it is now and in the future an attractive place in the neighbourhood.

• Provide a safe place where children can learn, play and relax in convivial surroundings
• Provide a secure boundary line, for child safe-keeping
• To maximise the value of the site for nature
• To maximise the value for learning about nature
• Provide an attractive place for the neighbourhood and both schools