Hazelwood School

Hampshire County Architects

The primary architectural form of the school building is a double-height central area with a curved roof housing a gymnasium at the front and two storeys at the rear.

Classrooms and all other main spaces cluster on either side and beyond this central block. The imposing entrance canopy encapsulates structural elements and details that are repeated throughout the building. Two large, circular glue-laminated cantilever columns taper sharply to an apex and support complex two-way timber brackets. These in turn support three curved roof beams. The complexity of the brackets is reminiscent of traditional Chinese and Japanese eave bracket sets. Glue-laminated beams are built up to achieve similar efficiencies to castellated steel beams. The top and bottom chords are packed apart by glued and bolted shear blocks. This has enabled a degree of two-way lattice action where beam chords pass at right angles. Another benefit is that the beam voids reduce the visual mass and set up an attractive pattern. The structure appears lighter, especially when placed in front of glazing or a contrasting light-coloured ceiling lining. The voided beam aesthetic extends throughout the building creating a distinctive pattern.

Location:

Portsmouth, England