We’ve been working with Caerphilly County Borough Council since 2010, when they asked us to fit Alumax throughout their Green Hill School development.
Since then, we’ve supplied Alumax on six further projects, including their new build Cwm Ifor Primary School.
Shortlisted for the RIBA Welsh Architectural Award, Cwm Ifor Primary School was designed by Architype and has a flexible layout to provide a learner-orientated design. There is a greater emphasis on informal learning areas and the elimination of traditional corridor spaces.
It was only right that such a project should seek out the best in class finger guards. Previously, Caerphilly had used plastic finger guards, but grew frustrated with the lack of durability and need for frequent replacements. They tried a number of different plastic options but none were up the job in a modern high traffic school environment. Plus plastic finger guards would have detracted from the overall, modern design aesthetic.
To embrace the school’s culture and ethos of community and support, Architype designed a large open plan dining/café/performance space at the heart of the building. Arranged off this central space, are four wings accommodating the foundation stage, infant, junior and staff administration facilities. This radical layout answered the brief of creating a welcoming learning environment, contrary to the traditional classrooms-off-corridors layout.
And to ensure that little fingers were kept safe throughout, we supplied our integral finger guards, ALUmax. Blending into the environment, these guards design out the problem of trapped fingers and their robust design lasts the lifetime of the door, reducing replacement costs and saving over £500 per door compared to plastic.
Photography courtesy of Leigh Simpson Photography©