Challenge

As part of the Government’s Sure Start initiative, Furze Primary School in Dagenham had a requirement to accommodate 50 additional children into the existing school. With the school site unable to accommodate a new building, the school’s governors appointed Anne Thornton Architects Partnership to identify potential solutions to solve the problem.

After considering a number of options, the decision was taken to demolish one of the existing, single storey buildings (which housed the school hall and kitchen) and to construct a new building. This new two-storey structure would again contain a hall and kitchen area, but would additionally provide new classroom space.

The scheme also included a plan to develop a children’s playground on the roof of the building. This solution would give the older children in the school their own classroom and play-space, releasing an existing classroom and conventional playground space for the new Sure Start pupils (0 to 4 years).

Commenting on the design, architect Anne Thornton said: “Once we had agreed the design concept, one of the critical considerations was safety - the rooftop playground having to be completely safe for the children, with their being no risk of them climbing out; or of toys, balls etc being thrown from the area. At the same time, as with a traditional playground, it was important for the area to be open to the elements at all times.”

Solution

After a detailed examination of the available options, architect Anne Thornton specified MMA’s Jakob Webnet product, and worked with the company’s design team to develop a solution that would completely enclose both the perimeter and the roof space itself with the stainless steel mesh system. 

Specialist supplier MMA Architectural Systems designed and installed an innovative solution to help create additional play space for children at an Infants School in Essex.

Outcome

Architect Anne Thornton said: "We are delighted with the result, which has made accessible an area which would otherwise have been dead space – and it’s clear that the children are equally pleased with their new, high-level playground!”

At Furze school, the Webnet system will also perform a ‘greening’ function, with a variety of climbing and creeping plants being trained to grow up the structure – fulfilling both an aesthetic purpose and a practical one, giving areas of shade for the children, to protect them from the sun.

An added benefit to the Webnet system is that it is quiet on impact from stray balls.