Essex County Council primary schools (1973-1993): a design appraisal

French, Christopher Paul (1996) Essex County Council primary schools (1973-1993): a design appraisal. PhD thesis, University of Greenwich.

Abstract

The appraisal contains three parts:- part one - a review of primary education since 1973; part two - strategic aspects of primary school design, including, planning, constructional systems, aesthetics, environmental design, engineering services, interior and exterior design; part three - detailed requirements of today's primary school room by room; plus conclusions promulgating lessons for the future.

Main conclusions of the study are:-

Economic and political pressures have reduced quality and space standards, encouraged traditional teaching methods, and reduced community use.

The Country Architect and Education department's influence diminished as power was delegated to individual schools.

Limited generic plans, including the paired classbase, have developed which are a useful precedent for future design teams.

System building produced stereotype deep plan buildings, with austere architecture which failed to respect their setting or delight users. Current traditional pitched roof designs are more successful, but relatively uninspired.

Despite environmental design and engineering attempting to balance conflicting factors and reduce energy consumption by using alternative fuels and solar passive methods, users prefer locally controlled traditional heating and ventilation systems.

Interiors are high quality with a domestic ambience, whereas exteriors are poor quality with windswept wastelands without enclosure or facilities for outside teaching.

Users believe 1980s schools are too small, sufficient classbase space is a priority, and demand better quality exteriors.

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