Low carbon ’round house’ classroom for Chipping Campden School

BPA are pleased to have secured planning permission for the erection of a low-carbon ‘roundhouse’ classroom for craft education at Chipping Campden School.
In September 2017 Chipping Campden School launched a new course called V.Cert Craft. This course enables students to gain hands-on experience in a range of rural and creative crafts. The skills and experience gained will link directly to and build upon the long tradition and renowned rural crafts found in the local area, the Cotswolds. Crafts will include working with green wood, ceramics, leather, carving, enamel work etc. The course will support and encourage students to pursue futures in craft fields, either through apprenticeship, further study, direct employment or self-employment. It will also enable others to appreciate craftsmanship and perhaps to take up a craft as an interest or hobby.

The green credentials of this building are a key design principle in this project. The building will be a low-carbon construction with high insulation values. Locally available and recycled materials will be used and will include – stone for the base and straw for the walls from nearby farms; larch poles from local estates for the roof timbers; clay for the wall coatings from the local brickworks; and recycled timber and windows. The roof will be cedar shingle which will be sourced from a nearby tree located a couple of hundred yards away. Heating will be from a wood-fired stove. Electricity will be from a small solar PV array with mains connection for back-up.