Pineapple Island

Jayden Ali, Hwei Fan Liang, Alex Nikjoo, Shahid Hussain, London, 2015

 

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PRESENCE: The black exterior cladding departs from the materials of the surrounding area and fronts directly onto the pavement providing the school with an increased presence whilst bringing the pupils closer to the public.  

David Grandorge (website)     Download Original

  • PRESENCE: The black exterior cladding departs from the materials of the surrounding area and fronts directly onto the pavement providing the school with an increased presence whilst bringing the pupils closer to the public.     
  • FLEXIBILITY: Furniture and fixtures were also designed for the space to allow for maximum flexibility and appropriation whilst the acoustics of the space were paid particular attention.    
  • LIMINAL SPACE: The building does away with problematic corridors and provides an interstitial space between playground and internal learning zone.    
  • COMMUNICATION: In contrast to existing communal learning space, rearrangeable informal seating encourages new patterns of communication.    
  • EXPANSION: Designed to allow for expansion at a later date, the space between playground and building allows for the placement of stairs in future.    
  • CELEBRATION: In periods of darkness the presence of the school is celebrated by low level lighting embedded below the recessed windows.     
  • DESKS: Custom designed desks are easily collapsable and adjustable allowing for the space to be rearranged at short notice depending on need and age of users.    
  • STORAGE: Custom storage units were developed to allow for the storage of a wide variety of teaching materials of various sizes.    
  • ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES: Programming of the space is deliberately open-ended, which encourages conversations amongst pupils and staff about possible activities.    
  • Street elevation    
  • Ground Floor Plan    
  • Masterplan    
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  • Window detail    

A learning environment for children with behavioural difficulties

The Cherry Trees is a small primary school for boys with severe behavioural difficulties.

The creation and delivery of Pineapple Island, an alternative and aesthetic play environment, challenged traditional learning spaces associated with children with special educational needs.

The ideas developed informed a new stand alone building with a program focused on alternative activities.

The entire project mirrors the school’s ethos; providing a curriculum of playful, engaging, and practical intervention with a focus on ownership, communication and empowerment. Qualities necessary for fostering positive relationships with wider society.

Play is crucial, learning incidental. A focus on transitional space is a direct response to the mapping of major pupil incidents.

Led by an in-house Part 2 student and playworker, the project was developed in response to unprecedented access and exposure to the needs of pupils, families, staff and the broader school community.

Data

  • Begun: Apr 2014
  • Completed: Feb 2015
  • Floor area: 63m2
  • Sector: Education
  • Total cost: £245,000
  • Funding: LA match funding
  • Tender date: Aug 2013
  • Procurement: JCT DB 2011
  • Address: The Cherry Trees School, 68 Campbell Road, Bow, London, E3 4EA, United Kingdom

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