DEEPLISH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Deeplish 

Following the completion of its new building Deeplish was tasked with the re-imagining of its now reshaped grounds including the demolished site of its old school structure.

As an urban community at the center of Rochdale, the vision was to derive inspiration from the wilder surrounding Pennines.

How we arrive and meet a school has an influence on how we subsequently experience, respond and behave within them.  With this in mind, the pond and allotments as well as a border of multi-layered sensory planting were sited approaching and adjacent to the schools’ entrance. Inviting and friendly at the crucial points of arrival and departure.

Creating a journey throughout the grounds was integral to the design. We incorporated very few absolute boundaries in favor of a more gentle progression of overlapping zones. Elements were intended to be open-ended and non-prescriptive.

Pupils weave between a variety of levels and surfaces to encounter areas of complimentary and contrasting moods.

The open and busy zones are and balanced and interwoven with a variety of areas that are tranquil, protected, and intimate.