St Damien's RC Science College, Tameside

St Damian’s RC Science College is a new landmark school building on a main route into Tameside from the north. Located adjacent to Broadoak and Greenhurst Clough forming important semi-natural ancient woodland setting to the south, the school’s ethos, local natural heritage and science specialism were used as organising design principles.

Level changes across the site were challenging and have been modified to create an effective series of plateaus and sheltered landscape settings for the buildings and associated spaces.

The spiral form was developed as a design concept that responds to the arc of long distance views from the site, to Manchester in the west, the landmarks of Oldham in the north & Hartshead Pike to the Pennine hills above the school to the east. The spiral leads into the Chapel and Piazza at the heart of the school building.

The building form itself engages with a number of the outdoor spaces which are used to support the humanities and science curriculum at ground floor. The wider landscape includes a science terrace and wildlife pond with strong links to the Clough, social spaces with sheltered microclimates and brand new natural and artificial sports pitches.

Client

Tameside MBC / Inspired Spaces

Project Team

Mentor

Location

Tameside, Greater Manchester

Stage

Completed

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