The official first sod-cutting has taken place at the site of the new Roe Valley Integrated Primary School in Limavady.
Hamilton Architects are leading an Integrated Consultancy Team to deliver a 1,550sqm facility for over 200 pupils. The new building will provide 7 classrooms, 2 resource areas, 1 multi-purpose hall and library facilities.
The building form is expressed in two main blocks connected with a glazed link. At the front, the main teaching block contains the teaching and associated spaces. At the rear, the multi -purpose hall – deliberately separate from the teaching wing – has its own entrance and additional community event space with associated facilities.
The organisation of the teaching block offers progression through the building from P1 to P7, giving each key-stage its own sense of identity. A number of separate entrances will give children direct access from the classrooms to external play areas.
A one-way car parking and pick-up/drop-off loop with an emphasis on pedestrian access provides a safe and warm welcome to the school.
Graeme Ogle, Partner at Hamilton Architects, said the design team was looking forward to moving ahead with this high quality, cutting edge new building.
“The new school is designed to BREEAM Excellent criteria, which means this compact building will provide high levels of sustainability going forward,” he said.
“The construction phase will use low maintenance materials and inbuilt design flexibility will readily accommodate future adaptions or modifications.
“This great community project is being funded by the Department of Education as one of a number of Integrated Schools named in the first tranche of funding allocated under the Fresh Start Agreement in 2016.”
Principal Julie McDonagh said: “We have been providing first class educational opportunities at Roe Valley IPS for almost 20 years and look forward to the next chapter, developing our child-centred, inclusive primary school so that it is best in class.
“Our children deserve the best start in life and so a contemporary 21st century school, including state-of-the-art classrooms and resources, will help us to provide an excellent education. Our stunning location will be complemented by our wonderful new building.”
