Planning approval for Portal House School
25 February 2016
Last week, KSS received planning approval from Kent County Council to build a new three storey teaching block and sports hall together with the restoration of the original Eighteenth Century Portal House.
A key driver in the design was to improve the visual presence of the School providing a contemporary new building that respects and responds sympathetically to the architectural character of the retained Portal House.
Our forward thinking designs include a double-pitched timber box with general and specialist classrooms sitting above an enclosed administration, support and staff spaces alongside a sports hall set in the sloping landscape providing a dynamic and inspiring place to learn.
A simple, textured light brick will be used at ground floor level whilst the upper floors will be clad in light brown timber effect rain screen cladding with darker vertical recesses. The proportion and massing is reminiscent of local and Kent vernacular buildings, whilst simple and modern details create a fresh identity for the new building.
Local materials and sub-contractors will be used throughout construction, which is set to begin in March 2016, with expected completion in the summer of 2018.
With KSS’ thorough understanding of transformational education and contemporary teaching methods, our designs for Portal House School will provide a sustainable learning environment that will create the perfect platform for the younger generation of Kent.
