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Recommendations for Future Project
Fire Assembly Area Braes High School
Check with fire authorities that the fire assembly points are sufficiently far from the building (and kitchen and rubbish bins) and adjust if necessary. Consider also safety issues if fire engines and evacuated people are both in the bus area.
The fire assembly point is very close to the buildings and buses, if they are there. [S3]
That van is parked in my class's fire assembly point. [Teachers Group 2]
During the fire drill kids weren't far enough away from the building. There isn't enough room for all the kids and fire engines. [Teachers Group 3]
They should get kids into the fields; so you would need a new bridge. [Teachers Group 3]
Often there are cars in the fire assembly area and at the front entrance. [Teachers Group 3]
Fire engines come in. The short-term visitors' car park is too tight for their turning circle. [Teachers Group 3]
Classes assemble at the container bins, very close to the building. [Teachers Group 3]
Site Future Projects
Select future school sites with good public transport connections and close to retail and public services as at Braes High School.
The good location is among the three best features. It is close to the shops, central, close to most homes and there is easy traffic in the area. [S3]
It was the only site available. It was procured from the housing development. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best available. [Project Team]
There is a huge retaining wall. [Project Team]
The site is only just big enough. [Project Team]
Housing close to the school will restrict expansion. [Council]
Site planning is good because of access and layout, bus parking, pedestrian route and the hidden car park. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The strategic location of the building on site is among the best aspects of the school because it is potentially well orientated. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The view is among the three best features. [Teachers Group 1]
It is good being near the shops, to go out for lunch. [S2]
There is a lot of ground outside. Most schools don't have this much ground. [S2]
The view is amazing. [Teachers Group 2]
There are not a lot of shops and stuff in the area. It would be good if there were a Tesco's, library and a park, etc. [S6]
I have never really noticed the prison, although the school did visit it. [Teachers Group 3]
The school is in a good location, in the middle of its catchment. [S4]
It is well sign posted. [S4]
The position is nice at the top of Braes. "You can pretend you are going for a run in the country." [Managers]
The size of the campus is good. [Managers]
Main Entrance Future Projects
Brief architects to employ conventional architectural language so visitors subconsciously "read" the entrances in the building form, without reliance on signage.
All deliveries come to the main entrance, which is a problem. [Project Team]
There should be a separate goods entrance. [Project Team]
The front entrance is among the three worst aspects because it is not clear, not well sign posted. [Council]
I am (a visitor would be) struggling to see where the main entrance is. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
I went to the other door and there was no answer. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
You (visitors) don't know where the front entrance is. [Council]
The fire brigade has to come to the main entrance where the kids come out. [Teachers Group 1]
The entrance is not welcoming. [Teachers Group 1]
The entrance could be more obvious e.g. a "Welcome" sign. It is bland; maybe that was deliberate. [Teachers Group 2]
The entrance is quite nice, except for the grass. [S6]
I like the front entrance. It is nice and modern. It looks good except for the " Must" (officiousness of the sign), which is very teacher-ish. You wouldn't see it anywhere else. [Teachers Group 3]
It is nice and sheltered, especially in winter. It is a bit warmer than most places. [S4]
The windows at the front look good. [S4]
It is not easy to find the front door. [Support Staff]
The front door is excellent. [Managers]
People can find the office very easily. [Managers]
The entry is paved; it is good. [Community Group]
Exposed Mechanical Plant at Main Entrance Future Projects
Ensure that the architects have sufficient time and control of subconsultants' work to maintain its consistency with project objectives (including school presentation).
Instruct architects to conceal mechanical and electrical plant, conduits, ducts and pipework unless otherwise authorised.
The boiler would be better away from the main entrance, because it is unsightly here. [Project Team]
Exposed plant at the main entrance and exposed ductwork is among the three worst aspects of the building. It could be integrated with more forethought. [Project Team]
These mechanical boxes are ugly. [Teachers Group 1]
"What are those horrible things?" [Teachers Group 2]
That thing is ugly - just sticking out. [S4]
(The school) is fairly attractive, but it (plant) is appalling. [Managers]
The metalwork is very unsightly. [Managers]
Circulation Future Projects
Design circulation routes for the peak flows of people using them in schools during changes in class. Consider managing flows to minimise peaks, for example by staggering movement times. In the design, take into account the possibility of student misbehaviour.
The doors are small. There is not enough room for everyone to squeeze through. You get a Late Slip (if you are late for class). They could add doors. Doors are in the wrong place. [S3]
It would be better if doors could disperse people upstairs. [S3]
You get pushed into a (external) corner of the balustrade rail. [S3]
There is one lift so the disabled student has to go all the way along the corridor each time he needs to go up or down. [S3]
Narrow stairs and doors being too narrow are among the three worst features. [S3]
Stair 2 is very dark and crowded. You get into trouble for being late for class because there is jostling in the stairs. [S4]
The full width corridors are a good size. [Teachers Group 1]
Stairs are small for the number of people walking up all at the same time. [S2]
The stairs are a bit narrow. There are too many crushes. [S5]
The stairs are very slim for the number of people, so people feel in danger of jostling. [Teachers Group 3]
The front entrance doors are too small. Everyone gets pushed about. Supervision has been brought in. [S4]
There are only two corridors for all the kids to get between the social and teaching areas. [Managers]
There is noise and vibration in the stairs. [Managers]
The steel stairs drum. [Managers]
Entrance and stairways for pupils is among the three worst features. [Managers]
Staff Workbases Future Projects
Ensure that all staff have suitable workbases for non-teaching work to prepare lessons, mark work, deal with administration, work with colleagues, and store personal and professional material. When workplaces are occupied less than full time, establish protocols for sharing spaces and resources or use alternative areas, such as the library after school.
It is very gloomy in winter. You shade your own work because the light is behind you. [Teachers Group 1]
Having a staff workbase is among the three best features. [Teachers Group 1]
We have to work in the English Store because the school is not big enough for the number of people. [Teachers Group 2]
We are already full and have 4 more teachers coming. [Teachers Group 2]
Workbases would be better in the middle (of the block) to be aware of what is going on in the corridor. [Teachers Group 3]
Library Future Projects
On future projects, strive to achieve the high levels of satisfaction experienced by Braes High School library users.
It is spacious and multi-functional. [Council]
The low seating is nice. [Council]
It is light and bright, and large and modern with plenty of space and access to books. [Council]
A library consultant contributed to briefing of the space, shelves, tables, chairs, computers and teaching area. [Council]
There is room for classes, tutorials and other activities. [Council]
It is good that there are a lot of computers; you can usually get on one. They are new. [S2]
There are loads and loads of shelves. [S2]
There is an interactive whiteboard. [S2]
It is quite spacious. There are seats for everyone. [S2]
There is quite a lot of light with all the windows. [S2]
Everyone has a computer. [S2]
There is a wide variety of fact and fiction books, and they are in alphabetical order so it is easy to find them. [S2]
It is nice and quiet. [ S2]
There is lots of light. [S2]
The library is among the best aspects of the school. [S6]
There is good use of the library space for careers, white board, computers, book racks, seating. It is good multipurpose space. [Managers]
There should be a multipurpose room like this on every floor. It would allow classes to be used efficiently. [Managers]
Maybe it could have slider folding doors. [Managers]
Librarians need to be here when children are here. [Managers]
Pool Future Projects
Brief architects to design fenestration for good daylighting without glare on the pool surface, for example by bringing light in at high level and having mid-to-dark tones at low levels on the walls.
The pool is stainless steel with a PVC liner. There are no great problems. There is a cleaning program for the surface. We would do it again. [Project Team]
There should be two shallow ends so more people can learn to swim (in the shallow water) and there is less water to heat. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
I would put two shallow ends and have a slightly lower roof with more light. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
There should be more light. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The pool could have been in the middle (to warm adjacent spaces). [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
It is quite big. It is quite cold. [S2]
It is good to have the deep end to dive into. [S2]
The air can be quite warm and stuffy. [S2]
The pool is long enough to have a whole class along the side. [S2]
It is good to have the steps and the chair for disabled. [S2]
Having a pool is among the three best features . [S2]
The pool is among the three best features because of the size, rubber finish, it is clean and new, light has cool windows, has water right up to the edge and the water is sometimes nice and warm. [S5]
The pool is good. [Teachers Group 2]
The pool surface is good. Not being tiled, you can't be cut. [Community Group]
You need one deep and one shallow end. [Community Group]
The pool is among the three best features. [Community Group]
Games Hall Future Projects
Strive to achieve the high level of stakeholder satisfaction evident with this gym. Ensure that any heavy moveable objects, such as goal posts, are designed to avoid injury.
I like the basketball nets; they are good. [S2]
There is a lot of equipment. [S2]
It is big. It works well. It is spacious; there is room to move about. [S2]
There is a store cupboard right next to the gym. [S2]
It can fit 2-3 classes. [S2]
We can do different sports (simultaneously). [S2]
It is quite new; you can see the lines on the floor. It is quite high. [S2]
The games hall is pretty good. It is big and has got everything. [S5]
You can do most sports. [S5]
It is good going to the gym in the evening. [S6]
The air supply and extract is at high level. It is too tall, so it should have radiant heat. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
There is plenty of space. [Community Group]
It is a nice sprung floor. [Community Group]
We have to bring our own music. [Community Group]
We have found a cupboard. We need a lock-away facility. [Community Group]
A lockable store is very important for groups. [Community Group]
Storage is very important. [Community Group]
Lack of secure storage is among the three worst features. [Community Group]
Quality of Light Future Projects
Ensure that architectural briefs pay attention to the quality of light in learning areas. Provide for design to control light at various sun angles.
The high level windows allow good natural light. [Project Team]
There are slot windows to help orient oneself and allow supervision. It helps bring light into internal corridor areas, which can otherwise be long, dark and oppressive. This is a major issue for architects. [Project Team]
We designed a hierarchy of windows. [Project Team]
We brought light into corridors through doors and glazing above. [Project Team]
The quality of light is among the three best aspects of the building. [Project Team]
The feeling of light is among the three best aspects of the building, especially with the corridor width and easy traffic management. [Council]
Light levels are very good in the library. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Lighting and daylighting are among the three worst features. There is bad orientation in terms of noise, heat and light. They have not dealt with the sun. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
It is really bright because of the windows and light walls. [S5]
Home economics classes are good for light. [S4]
Being nice and bright with big windows is among the three best features. [S4]
Light is among the three best features. [Support Staff]
All you need is a clean, bright, airy classroom. [Managers]
Light Switching Future Projects
Brief architects to include simple, effective conservation strategies in light switching.
There is no light control. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
All toilet lights are on manual. They should have controls on all lights. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
There are lights (switched) on adjacent to skylights. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Interior Finishes Future Projects
Continue to specify robust materials to create pleasant spaces.
Blockwork has emulsion paint and will need to be repainted. [Project Team]
Floor vinyls are OK except the non-slip floor in home economics. [Project Team]
It is best to have dark colours low down. [Project Team]
BB93 has got more onerous on the ability to use plasterboard. [Project Team]
Walls get dirty from children in damp clothes leaning on them. [Project Team]
The condition of the school inside is a lot better than outside. The music room looks almost as good as new. [Project Team]
Classrooms are in good condition; they are working. [Project Team]
The condition of classrooms is among the three best aspects of the building. It was the right selection of materials and it is well maintained. [Project Team]
Suspended Ceilings Future Projects
Brief architects to design ceilings that will withstand the deliberate impact of objects such as balls and school bags.
The chequer pattern of ceilings is because there was a minimum reverberation, but requirements have changed now. [Project Team]
Ceilings lift in small spaces when doors are closed. [Project Team]
I wouldn't have (specify) loose tiles because the kids lift them by swinging their bags up. [Teachers Group 1]
The ceiling tiles in the dance studio fall out. People push them and balls hit them. [S5]
Ceiling tiles were installed for sound absorption (in the dining room) but they have been removed. Curtains are there to absorb sound. They are very cost effective. The council brief no longer allows curtains. [Project Team]
Cladding Future Projects
Brief architects to design long life materials to minimise maintenance.
The materials are starting to look tired; they are starting to look worn. Maybe materials are not right. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The life cycle does not support sustainability. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Dampness indicated in the pool wall. It probably won't last 30 years because it is condensation from the internal environmental conditions. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Energy Future Projects
Brief buildings to minimise CO 2 emissions in their production, operation and disposal.
Brief architects to consider energy available at the site, for example, sunshine, biomass and other renewable energy sources. Brief them to design buildings that are energy efficient.
The south façade (of the sports block) is an opportunity missed. It turns its back on the sun. In winter it will shade the other block. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
There is no sense of orientation. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
They are not using solar heating. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
I suspect the energy budget is high. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Metal windows will have a cold bridge. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
There will be air leakage. It is crucial that buildings are tested for airtightness. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Off-cuts and sawdust could have been used for heating the building. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The workshop has to have the lights on all the time. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The stair landing has lights on next to the window. The window has a wall directly outside (limiting light and view). [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The high environmental footprint of the building is among the three worst features. This relates to the energy and water use and lack of conservation. The energy strategy is terrible. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Sacrificing sustainability is among the three worst features. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
They could make use of wind power with a turbine. [Teachers Group 3]
Water Consumption Future Projects
Brief architects to include basic water conservation measures in designs, such as low flow fittings, rainwater harvesting and permeable paving.
There appears to be no use of grey water. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
You should use (paving) materials that soak (rain) into the ground. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Toilets have standard fittings so they don't save water. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
The external environment, including the courtyard, has far too many hard surfaces. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
Corridor Obstacles Future Projects
Ensure that corridors are designed to minimize bottlenecks and injuries for heavy flows of people pushing and jostling. Relocate fittings such as fire extinguishers and meal card machines with sharp corners, as well as those that obstruct traffic, to quiet corners.
The fire extinguisher is a danger. "You can get squashed into them." [S3]
Fire alarms are not all protected. You could accidentally hit them. [S4]
We need more swipe card machines and they should be somewhere that queues are not going to block doors. [S5]
They should have more meal card machines because there is always a big queue (of people waiting to use the machine). [S6]
They need more swipe card machines. [S4]
Provision of Sports Facilities in General Future Projects
Endeavour to provide the ample sports facilities at Braes High School.
The sports facilities are among the best aspects of the school because they provide a number of simultaneous teaching environments inside and outside and are well landscaped. [Council]
Sports facilities are among the best aspects of the school, because they benefit health. [Environmental Sustainability Designers]
PE facilities are among the three best features. [S3]
PE facilities are among the three best features. They are better than we had. [Teachers Group 1]
It is quite a big school with full size rugby pitch and Astroturf. It doesn't have a lot of graffiti. "It is not bad, really." [S2]
PE equipment and facilities is among the three best features, especially the big PE hall. [S2]
Sports facilities are among the best aspects of the school. [Teachers Group 2]
Having so many sports facilities is among the best aspects of the school. Especially PE, brand new gyms and exercise machines. The pool is a bonus. [S6]
Having very good sports facilities is among the three best features. [Teachers Group 3]
Fabulous drama, fitness and gym facilities are among the three best features. [Support Staff]
The PE, gym and pool facilities are fantastic. [Managers]
Sports facilities inside and outside are among the best aspects of the school. [Managers]
"These are super-duper facilities." They aren't used enough. We use them once a week and later there is a basketball group. [Community Group]
The variety of rooms is among the three best features. [Community Group]
Ambience Future Projects
Endeavour to replicate the fresh and clean feeling of Braes High School. Avoid corridors that give rise to feelings of sterility and stairs that prompt feelings of oppressiveness.
Corridor walls are really boring; white clear. "Maybe some colour … posters." [S3]
Why have gray (classroom) walls? [S3]
It is a miserable (corridor) wall without posters. [Teachers Group 1]
The stairs are very oppressive. [Teachers Group 1]
There are lots of posters in the gym/pool area. [S2]
I don't like the green and gray (home economics decor). [S4]
I think they should have nice colours and posters (in the corridors). It is clinical. [S5]
The colour on the (classroom) wall is good. [S5]
We like the display cases in the corridor. [S5]
They should have glass exterior walls to the stairs. [S5]
Windows in the corner of the stairs make it lighter and cooler. [S5]
Being clean and fresh is among the best aspects of the school. [Teachers Group 2]
Corridors are too much the same. They all look identical. I find myself on the wrong floor. "Art (department) could perhaps do a mural." [Teachers Group 3]
Having everything new is among the three best features. It makes the kids respect it and improves behaviour and learning. [Teachers Group 3]
Planning Future Projects
Consult stakeholders and decide on contact between staff, managers and students. Brief the architects on future projects accordingly.
Consider using space syntax to assist matching school design with community preferences for organisational characteristics.
There are several hidden corners, where pupils can get up to misbehaviour. [Council]
Having school departments close together is among the best aspects of the school. [Teachers Group 2]
There is no community. "It looks like an office or something; not a school." [Teachers Group 2]
The PE classroom is far away from the gyms. [S6]
There are no senior management offices in the teaching block to preserve supervision. [Teachers Group 3]
It would have made a lot more sense if the workbase and language store were both central. [Teachers Group 3]
The career guidance rooms are isolated. [Teachers Group 3]
Difficulty for staff to meet is among the three worst features, because it is so far to the staff room to socialise. "Staff don't meet so they don't know each other." [Teachers Group 3]
It is built like an office block, but a school is a community. I feel you never see anyone. [Managers]
It is not functional as a school. Managers need to be out there. We are tucked away. [Managers]
Kids can hide in the recreation area. [Managers]
Management are miles from teaching. [Managers]
We are so spread out (around the PE facilities) we use walkie-talkies radios for the cardiac nurse. [Community Group]
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