St Edburg's Early Years >
Following the construction of the new St Edburg’s primary school in 2015 and a significant increase in demand for school places, Oxfordshire County Council granted planning permission for a new early-years building to sit alongside the primary school. This specialised second site introduces facilities specifically designed for children from nursery to year two. The resources better suit the developmental needs for the younger children attending the school.
LOCATION: BICESTER, OXFORDSHIRE
ARCHITECT: CLEWS ARCHITECTS
PROJECT VALUE: £13M
DATE: 2024
The Challenge
Sustainability is at the forefront of this development. The new building is designed to be net-zero in operation (regulated) and is designed to be BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Very Good. Our challenge was to ensure our drainage design met sustainability standards whilst also remaining future proof.
The SOLID Approach
The earthworks strategy focuses on optimising material use by considering factors such as elevation changes, local fill material, and existing access levels. This approach ensures a sustainable and efficient construction process. During the early design phase, SOLID’s civil engineers recognised the need to adjust the building’s orientation and positioning to facilitate suitable connections with the existing site access levels while maintaining a practical earthworks design.
The drainage design aims to replicate natural runoff patterns, using infiltration wherever feasible. In areas where infiltration is not possible, surface water runoff is managed through a system of linear channels, gullies, and underground pipes, which discharge water at three separate connection points around the site.