new entrance, oakholme building - birkdale school

The Oakholme Building, a building of townscape merit in the Broomhill Conservation area in Sheffield provides the main visitor entrance and public face of the school.  The small area between the building and the surrounding streets, enclosed by a row of mature Lime trees, provided 6 car parking spaces and then the building was approached by a tarmac path through a  small lawn to the original stepped front door.

As part of general improvement a:nw was asked to look at maximising the car parking potential and providing a barrier free entrance to the school that would be suitable as an approach to the schools principle entrance.

By utilising a no dig ground reinforcement geo-grid strategy and permeable tarmac the parking could encroach within the root protection areas of the mature limes and increased the parking to 15 spaces.  A system of oak sleepers provide the kerbing and retaining to the edge of the car park, again providing a no dig solution that otherwise would have been required with conventional kerbing.

The main entrance is improved with new powered doors, accessed by a large landing area.  This is accessed by steps from both sides and a ramp,  These are all tied together with a stone composition of walling and paving. Lighting and stainless steel hand rails and lettering provide finishing touches that are practical and that enhance the aesthetics.

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All photographs taken by and images produced by Nick.