Wood Bank Special School, Luddenden

LEDA worked with Calderdale Council, Jefferson Sheard Architects, Mason Clark and SUM Quantity Surveyors to renovate an existing building and and bring it up to a suitable standard for utilisation by the adjacent Wood Bank Special school in Luddenden.

The project began in 2018, when funding was given to renovate the Luddenden Youth Centre into a mixed purpose building. The initial design was to accommodate the existing Youth Centre and make space for the nearby Wood Bank school. After some consideration, it was decided to relocate the Youth Centre and fully dedicate the building to Wood Bank Special School, to include fully accessible classrooms, a kitchen and toilets.

The needs of Wood Bank’s students and teachers were paramount to the design; which included accessible doorways, ramps, low level smart boards, mobility bays for charging wheelchairs, a lift to the upper level, sensitive lighting, hoists in the classrooms and hygiene room, with an accessible link path to the main school. A sustainable focus was also paramount to the success of this project; with features such as LED lighting with PIR’s & daylight sensing controls, Passive Ventilation turrets, low temperature radiators, low water usage sanitary-wear, whilst fully utilizing daylight and natural ventilation wherever possible throughout the building.

Photo credits: Jefferson Sheard Architects

Client:	Calderdale Council
Services Provided	Feasibility study, detailed M & E Design
Dates:	2018 to 2021
Contract Value:	Just under £1 million
Technologies and Unique Features:	Utilized natural daylight and ventilation, passive ventilation turrets, building and facilities accessible for all abilities, PIR (Passive Infrared lighting)