A beautifully designed and built new extension now provides a warm welcome to staff pupils and visitors alike at the Windmill LEAD Academy in Nottingham.
The strikingly modern design of the extension coupled with extensive hard and soft landscaping to the front courtyard has truly transformed the main entrance to the school, giving a great first impression to those visiting the school and promoting a real sense of pride in learning and in the school.
Construction works were carried out by Fords of Blythe Bridge to create a new front entrance to the existing Victorian school buildings. As part of the project, existing buildings and underused external recesses and quads were built into and remodelled as part of the overall project in order to make better use of the existing space and provide a more modern, welcoming and functional reception and administrative area fit for a modern teaching environment.
The new extension features striking black basalt cladding as a nod to Nottingham’s industrial heritage, alongside a vibrant brise-soleil manufactured in the school’s colours and the modern clean lines of glass and stainless steel balustrading, giving a contemporary and eye-catching first impression. Floor-level up-lighting set within the new tumbled block paved entrance, new bespoke signage and a living wall structure all add to the wow factor of the building, and foster real pride in the school amongst pupils and teachers alike.
Internally, an equally eye-catching reception and lobby area incorporating the school colours and logo provide a bright and welcoming environment upon entering the building. The extension has created a number of new administration and office areas, meeting rooms, new staff room, kitchenette and WCs, significantly improving and enhancing school facilities.
Significant refurbishment and remodelling works were also carried out by Fords of Blythe Bridge as part of the overall project, with newly created boys and girls WCs the creation of additional classroom space in previously under-used areas, new internal doors and decoration works. In addition, corridors were re-designed through the use of new carpet and vinyl flooring and new furniture to create a series of break-out areas for targeted 1-to-1 teaching.
Building works have transformed the Windmill LEAD Academy, both inside and out, giving staff and pupils a great sense of pride in their school and enhancing and updating the teaching and learning environment for the benefit of the whole school.
