Education Project Experience
About DB3 Founded in 1883, DB3 Group is an award-winning, dynamic practice consisting of DB3 Architecture & Design, DB3 Building Services Engineering, DB3 Net Zero and DB3 Professional Services. DB3 Group has seven studios across the UK including in Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, so we are never too far away from your project. Renowned for our quality design and technical delivery, we have long standing relationships with some of the biggest global brands across private and public market sectors. From architectural vision to the completed build, we provide multi-disciplinary expertise aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our client base. We embrace the latest technology, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), to assist in our process and operations for design, visualisation,
design team co-ordination and more. We maintain a focus on not only delivering the project on time, with exceptional quality and within cost, but also in ensuring long term value is designed into facilities to ensure that they are easy and safe to operate, sustainable, minimise energy use and are cost effective to maintain. Our dedicated team of experienced Architects, Project Managers, Building Services Engineers, Interior Designers and Surveyors provide a quality service regardless of project value, size or complexity, to deliver the best for our clients. Working collaboratively, we aspire to make this an enjoyable process and build relationships which result in us returning to work for the same clients on future projects.
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EXPERTISE Architecture Passivhaus Design Urban Design Visualisation Principal Designer NEC Supervisor Building Services Engineering
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About DB3
SECTORS Commercial Conservation & Heritage Education Energy & Waste Healthcare Hospitality Industrial & Manufacturing Retail Residential Science & Labs Sports & Leisure
Creating Inspiring Spaces for Learners Our team have been providing advice on education design for over 25 years and are fully experienced across the range of learning/ education building types. From early years provision, through primary, secondary, SEND, further and higher education, we design and implement schemes aimed at raising educational standards. With vast experience gained from working with over 30 local authority clients, we are well-equipped to deliver effective solutions. Always striving for innovation in education design, we have received numerous awards for designing the UK’s first digital media multi-sensory theatre within a school environment. We are experienced across the full range of procurement options and can be appointed via a number of local and national framework agreements throughout the UK.
Our portfolio extends to various projects, encompassing:
Designing new school buildings Overseeing refurbishments Implementing off-site prefabricated teaching accommodations Crafting intricate lab and technology environments Establishing community and education hubs Creating outdoor learning spaces like nature trails, sports facilities, and amphitheaters Developing SEND facilities, including hydrotherapy areas, therapy rooms, and dedicated respite blocks Constructing pupil referral units (PRUs)
DB3 Education
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Cardiff PRU Location: Cardiff, Wales Expertise Area: Architecture, Principal Designer Since the onset of the pandemic, the demand for Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) has surged to unprecedented levels. At Bryn Y Deryn and the Carnegie Centre, there has been a notable increase in the number of 14-16-year-olds seeking support. Some have faced exclusion due to behavioral issues, while others have been grappling with anxiety and other emotional or mental health challenges, making it difficult for them to attend regular schools. To address this issue, our team is actively involved in providing support for the expansion of PRU facilities in Cardiff, working closely with local authorities.
DB3 Education
As the appointed Architect and Principal Designer, we are committed to delivering architectural services through a comprehensive three-stage strategy. Initially, our role entails securing a temporary residence for students by refurbishing a school, alongside conducting a feasibility study of various sites for permanent provision. This includes accommodating two cohorts of students, with 48 in each cohort.
LEEDS CITY COUNCIL
Cockburn School Location: Leeds, England Expertise Area: Architecture, M&E
To address the site’s significant level changes, we’ve integrated access ramps and steps into the soft landscape design, ensuring smooth navigation across the premises whilst looking to minimise ‘cut and fill’.
Looking ahead, we are in the process of outlining phase two of the scheme, which will involve the installation of floodlights and enhancements to pathways and circulation loops linking the park and former golf course areas. This transformation is set to positively impact the students of South Leeds, enriching their educational, social and physical experiences on the former golf course site adjacent to the existing school.
DB3 Education
We have been appointed to undertake Architectural and M&E works at Cockburn School, with the aim of creating a multi-use games area for their students. Central to the project is the installation of three tennis courts and a 3G pitch, versatile enough to accommodate both football and rugby league activities.
ENFIELD COUNCIL
Oaktree SEND School Location: London, England Expertise Area: Architecture Oaktree School serves as a mixed community special school for students aged 7 to 19 with complex needs. The school accommodates up to 133 pupils and young adults, offering education from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5. The primary focus of the Oaktree School project is to enhance facilities for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This involves the construction of two new blocks, refurbishment of existing spaces for SEND provisions and the creation of dedicated areas for 33 additional students, including a block specifically for Key Stage 5 students. As part of this initiative, the existing ‘sensory’ standalone building will be repurposed as the arts room, external play spaces will be introduced and improvements will be made to existing spaces. Additionally, new parking allocations for minibuses and disabled parking provisions will be implemented.
The design phase incorporated survey data and involved collaborative design coordination sessions with the council and school to ensure effective engagement with end users. The existing playing field and amphitheatre have been enhanced to maintain an open and inviting atmosphere for students. Upgrades are planned for the food tech rooms, primarily focused on storage solutions. Sustainability is a core element of the design, with the detached block targeted to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. The landscape proposal includes allocating external areas for air source heat pumps to provide sustainable heating solutions. This comprehensive approach aims to create an inclusive and environmentally conscious educational environment for Oaktree SEND School students.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Isebrook SEND School Location: Kettering, England Expertise Area: Architecture, Principal Designer
The primary objective of the Isebrook project was to create a tailored environment conducive to the diverse needs of the students, thereby expanding the school’s capacity to serve its community. As the lead designer, we prioritised effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders. The project encompassed the construction of a new teaching block, featuring a Learning Resource Centre, 12 classrooms, ancillary spaces and outdoor multi-use games area, alongside significant external improvements. Notably, the project was divided into three sectional completions:
Section 1 focused on new build works, including eight general classrooms and dedicated spaces for Food Technology, Craft Design Technology, Art and Music, complete with a separate recording studio. Additionally, a comprehensive Learning Resource Centre housing an ICT suite and library was incorporated. Section 2 involved refurbishment works, wherein two existing classrooms were reconfigured to meet revised needs. Section 3 concentrated on external improvements, enhancing arrival and drop-off provisions with a segregated mini-bus route, designated waiting area, and a pupil-covered canopy drop-off.
DB3 Education
As part of a series of school projects for Northamptonshire County Council, DB3 assumed the role of Architect and Principal Designer for Isebrook SEND School.
CARDIFF COUNCIL
Multiple Schemes Location: Cardiff, Wales Expertise Area: Architecture We are currently in collaboration with Cardiff Council, actively involved in the ongoing refurbishments of several Grade II listed primary buildings, including St Monica’s, Gladstone and Allensbank. These refurbishments encompass significant fabric repairs and replacements. It’s important to note that these buildings are currently occupied by the school, necessitating meticulous considerations during the execution of the works. Given the listed nature of the sites, we are in close communication with the conservation officer to obtain listed building consent. Our responsibilities extend to providing technical drawings and specifications for construction and offering assistance to the contractor during the construction phase.
In addition to these projects, we are also undertaking further works for the council, specifically for the Court SEND school, a Grade II listed building. This scheme involves a comprehensive set of tasks, including the complete replacement of the slate roof, rebuilding of led dormers, replacement of rainwater goods and structural repairs. Due to the nature of the school, these works are scheduled to be carried out during periods of student absence, such as half-term breaks. Further to this, we are actively engaged in projects for Corpus Christi School. The school’s substantial growth has necessitated the upgrade of sanitary provisions, leading to the construction of a twostory extension within the school premises.
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL
Multiple Schemes Location: UK-Wide Expertise Area: Architecture, M&E
Our role involves actively participating in nationwide schemes aimed at upgrading their
existing facilities as part of their Campus Modernisation Programme, ensuring consistency across their diverse portfolio. This entails both refurb and extension enhancements. Currently, we are engaged in several feasibility studies aimed at creating distinctive educational environments catering to ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old.
DB3 Education
We have been appointed as Architects and M&E consultants for various projects with OneSchool Global, one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive global school networks. With over 9,500 students, operating across 120 campuses in 20 countries and supported by over 2,000 staff and volunteers, OneSchool Global offers a thriving educational ecosystem.
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL
Avon Valley College Location: Durrington, UK Expertise Area: Architecture
We identified the need by analysing the projected pupil numbers to create a schedule of accommodation for various projections into the future. We then master planned the site to analyse how best to expand and re configure the site to address this expanding need for accommodation over time. This exercise allowed for the progressive replacement of facilities, with
selective demolition, based on our on site analysis of building condition and suitability. Designed in Revit to BIM level 2 the first phase block includes spaces for music, drama, IT and other teaching spaces in a rational and compact form. Roof lights allow natural light into the depth of the plan and into the top storey classrooms, they provide a dual purpose and combine with the natural ventilation system to allow for very low energy usage. Passive supervision was a key element in the design; this combined with antibullying approaches to WC design help to give the building a friendly feel.
DB3 Education
Avon Valley College is a secondary school which mainly serves the children of army personnel on Salisbury Plain. Wiltshire Council appointed DB3 to prepare a masterplan for the phased replacement of all the school’s existing buildings to suit an increased population.
GWYNEDD COUNTY COUNCIL
Ysgol Craig y Deryn Location: Gwynedd, Wales Expertise Area: Architecture Ysgol Craig y Deryn, Bro Dysynni was procured under the Welsh Government 21st Century Schools Programme and brought together four existing village primary schools onto a new site in the National Park on the western edge of Llanegryn, near Tywyn, Gwynedd. The school is designed to accommodate 110 students with ages ranging from 3 to 11 years old. The challenge was to develop a new area primary school, and to create a transformed and inspiring learning environment appropriate for new methods of teaching and learning using new technologies within an environment designed to support initiatives to improve general educational standards.
DB3 Education
A considerable amount of time was spent in engagement in consultation with the offices of Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Highways Department, the Police Architectural Liaison Officer, the “Safer Routes to School” Officers and Access Officers, to develop a clear vision for the general requirements and against the impressive site context.
RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL
Porth & Tonypandy Schools Location: Porth & Tonypandy, Wales Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 provided services for two new middle schools (ages 3 to 16 years) in Porth and Tonypandy for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. We assembled and lead a multi-disciplinary team of local consultants. Each project involved the partial demolition/ refurbishment of an existing secondary school to provide the upper school accommodation (11 to 16 years), together with the provision of an entirely new-build lower school (3 to 11 years). Porth is designed to accommodate a total of 1,140 pupils (330 lower and 810 in upper school).
Tonypandy is designed to accommodate a total of 1,260 pupils (480 lower and 780 in upper school). In keeping with the context of South Wales Valleys, both sites feature a challenging topography, resulting in each new-build primary school adopting narrow linear forms of two storey classroom accommodation that follows the contours and ridges of their immediate setting.
ROBERTSON CONSTRUCTION
Goldthorpe Primary School Location: Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire
DB3 acted as Architect on behalf of Robertson Construction to deliver this new steel framed primary school on a brownfield site close to the existing school that was part of the overall Goldthorpe masterplan.
The new school accommodates 310 pupils and provides modern learning facilities and spacious outdoor play/sports areas. Classrooms within the school can be opened up to allow easy flow to outdoor lessons and activities.
The existing primary school was significantly lacking adequate facilities for today’s curriculum requirements and the capacity for the future increase in pupil numbers.
The school provides an important gateway for the town and delivers increased footfall to the retail centre.
DB3 Education
Expertise Area: Architecture
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL
St Peter’s Primary School Location: Tadworth, Surrey Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 designed this exemplar single form entry primary school on a rural site for South Gloucestershire Council. The new school includes a number of community spaces and has imaginative external areas, developed with the staff and pupils to include vegetable plots, a turf amphitheatre, a wetland and pond area with viewing deck, a nature trail, raised planting beds, a greenhouse, den making and forest skills areas, and a two person slide to get from the raised deck area down to the playground.
The building also has an array of eco-friendly features including a biomass boiler, a sedum roof, timber frame, high levels of insulation, daylight and was environmentally modelled to make the best use of passive solar gains whilst avoiding glare.
“There was an air of excitement as the children arrived for school.” Keith Tinline-Purvis, Headteacher
BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
Threeways SEND School Location: Bath, Somerset Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 acted as Architect to deliver this £11m new steel framed primary school that brought together three existing SEND schools onto one site on the northern edge of Bath. The completed building has collected several awards and was the first in the UK to feature a digital media multi-sensory theatre.
classrooms can be opened up to allow easy flow to outdoor lessons and activities. The building provides modern learning facilities and spacious outdoor play / sports areas. The acoustic performance and naturally lit and ventilated environment has had a positive impact on the behaviour and concentration of pupils.
DB3 Education
The school accommodates 310 pupils and
GWYNEDD COUNCIL
Hafod Lon SEND School Location: Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 acted as Architect for the project, which was constructed under a traditional contract and is located on the Parc Eryri Business Park.
The school is designed on a split level with primary school pupils and secondary aged pupils accommodated on separate floors.
The buildings are constructed to BREEAM “Excellent” and to an EPC “A” rating.
The Hafod Lon Special School for Gwynedd Council at Penrhyndeudraeth, was formally opened by Welsh Government Minister, Alun Davies.
The complex includes a SEND school for pupils aged 3-19 with hydrotherapy facilities, therapy rooms and a separate respite accommodation block.
NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
Sir Charles Parsons Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear Expertise Areas: Architecture
The objectives of the design were to create adaptable space that was able to respond flexibly to meet the needs of all students and support the provision of personalised learning, logical in design and have a ‘heart’ that unifies the school, to showcase student achievements, celebrate
success, be a meeting place, a place to sit and talk and move on to somewhere else. The specialist needs of students were provided adjacent or within the learning areas wherever possible, and therapy is seen as an integral part of the curriculum and learning environment. The school was rated as BREEAM “Excellent”. This was a significant challenge as the pupils all arrived in taxis so transport points were not possible to attain. This was offset by use of a biomass boiler adjacent to the building.
DB3 Education
Sir Charles Parsons Science College is one of three schools that DB3 designed for Newcastle. It is first and foremost a school, and its role is to provide a broad, stimulating and demanding learning experience for the students that stretches them and supports them in reaching their potential.
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL
Archway School Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 was commissioned to carry out a number of feasibility studies to advise the school on the most appropriate way to spend a sum of money allocated to it by the County Council.
Phase 2 saw the construction of the dedicated technology block. This was innovatively designed with a biomass boiler and all of the classrooms naturally ventilating into a double height atrium.
Archway School was constructed over four years and in three phases. During this period the school had to remain operational.
Phase 3 completed the remodelling by providing an entrance block containing, admin support, SEND and music facilities.
Phase 1 involved enabling works which provided new car parking to the entrance and re-surfacing existing sports hard play areas.
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL
Corsham Primary School Location: Corsham, Wiltshire Expertise Area: Architecture
The approach taken was to ensure options exist for getting as much natural light into the corridor and classrooms. This was done by utilising northlight and adopting a building section that also allows a natural cross flow of ventilation; all of which is controlled by manual means. In our
studies we have anticipated a series of popup’s through a flat roof, each pop-up defines the teaching area within the classroom with its primary use of providing north-light and ventilation. This to achieve our end goal of “light and air”. Creating blocks of class spaces, and when viewed in context with the tree scape - in particular if viewed from afar i.e. from the road - breaks the mass down into usable chunks.
DB3 Education
DB3 was appointed by Wiltshire Council in the summer of 2017 to develop a feasibility study to extend the current school from the current 1 FE of 210 pupils to 1.5 FE of 315 pupils, then to 2.0 FE with a capacity of 420 pupils.
Architecture and much more As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our expertise extends beyond architecture, meaning our clients can pick and choose key areas or combine a number of our service skill sets and project management skills when selecting our single point service offer. DB3 Group offers the following six individual business units.
DB3 Building Services Engineering Offering CIBSE Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to all sectors. The team have particular experience in the leisure sector, having delivered numerous wet and dry leisure facilities across the UK. The team are CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors and offer Thermal Modelling (DSM).
DB3 Net Zero Drawing on the experience of our in-house mechanical & electrical engineers, architects, energy assessors, Passivhaus designers and sustainability experts. Our suite of Net Zero consultancy services is broken down into six categories which cover topics around whole life cycle. These categories include; Carbon, Efficiency, Passivhaus, Wellbeing, Performance & Compliance. DB3 Professional Services The team deliver building surveying, retail project management, principal designer, contract administration and NEC supervisor roles, across the UK. Working alongside DB3’s architectural and M&E teams, these roles can be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary offering or procured as an independent service.
About DB3
DB3 Architecture & Design Providing RIBA Chartered sustainable architecture, urban design and masterplanning, with supporting services including BIM, visualisation and interior design. DB3’s architectural team comprises 35+ architects, supported by a strong team of 50+ technologists and architectural assistants with the capacity to resource projects across all sectors.
Accreditations AJ100 Company RIBA Chartered Practice Certified Passivhaus Designers CIAT Registered Practice CIBSE Directory of Practices & Firms CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System Altius Approved Elite Vendor H&S SSIP Accredited, through Eurosafe and Alcumus Constructionline Gold Member Achilles RISQS Accredited Cyber Essentials Plus
Awards DB3 Group: Winner - Build Architecture Awards - Best Sustainable Architecture & Design Firm 2023; Shortlisted - West Midlands Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Shortlisted - Yorkshire Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Winner - COBBA 2023 ‘Business Development Professional’; Shortlisted - UKREiiF Awards 2023 ‘Consultant of the Year’ & ‘People & Skills Torchbearer’; Shortlisted COMBA 2023 ‘Architecture Practice & Business Development Professional’; Shortlisted - Grafters Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice’; Winner – COMBA & COBBA 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; 2021 Digital Enterprise Top 100; Winner – Insider Property Awards 2018 ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’ & ‘Design Excellence’; Shortlisted – BD Awards 2017 ‘Sports & Leisure Architect of the Year’; RICS Design Through Innovation Award 2017; Insider Property Industry Awards 2015 ‘Highly Commended Architectural Firm of the Year’
Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’
Helensburgh Waterfront Development: Highly Commended - Argyll & Bute Awards 2023 ‘Aesthetic Design’; Finalist - Planning Awards 2023 ‘Outstanding Contribution to Placemaking: Best Use of Arts, Culture or Sport’; Highly Commended IStructE Awards 2022 ‘Leisure Project’
University of Huddersfield, Creative Art Building: Bronze Awards – RIBA White Rose Award 2009; Commendation – CIAT Award 2009; Shortlisted – RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2009
Llys Cadwyn Regeneration: Winner – Cardiff Property Awards 2021 and Ystadau Cymru 2021 Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’; Highly Commended – British Construction Industry Awards 2021; CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021 Adidas Oxford Street: Gold Winner – London Design Awards 2020 Leeds College of Music: Winner – RIBA Regional Award 2015 ‘Small Project Award’; Shortlisted – Insider Property Industry Awards Yorkshire 2018 ‘Regeneration Project of the Year’, Education Estates Awards 2018 ‘Refurbishment Project’, AJ Retrofit Awards 2018 ‘Further & Higher Education’; Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2018 ‘Building Project of the Year’ Chancery Lane Residential: Shortlisted – London Construction Awards 2018 ‘London Build Excellence’ & ‘Regeneration Project’ Airedale Air Conditioning: Winner – RICS 2017 Regional Award ‘Design through innovation’ Ysgol Craig Y Deryn School: RTPI Wales Planning Award 2014 Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre: Commended – SCALA
MOMA Machynlleth Tannery Gallery: CPRW Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’ Michael Woods Leisure Centre: Highly Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’; Scottish Property Awards 2014 ‘Architectural Excellence’ Marks & Spencer, Liverpool: Highly Commended – CIAT Award 2010 ‘Technical Excellence’ PAN Emirates, Dubai: Shortlisted – Retail Interiors Awards 2010 ‘Best International Interior’ Threeways School, Bath: BCSE Awards 2009 ‘Inspiring Design for Special Schools’ ASDA Stores Supplier Awards: 2009 ‘Best Consultant’ & ‘Best EDLC (Every Day Low Cost) Initiative’
University of Huddersfield, Milton Centre: Winner – Insider Yorkshire Renaissance Awards 2006 ‘Best Restoration Project’ Aberdovey Yacht Club: Winner – Snowdonia National Park Awards 1992 ‘Good Design in the Countryside Award’ St Giles Business Park for the DBRW: Winner – Prince of Wales Design Awards 1990 ‘Good Design Awards’ Llwydcoed Crematorium: Winner - RIBA Wales Architecture Awards 1971 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): 2017, 2011, 2010 Green Apple Awards: 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008 LABC Building Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 LABC Design Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002 Leicestershire & Rutland Craftsmanship Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002 Civic Trust Awards: 2012, 2007, 2006, 1993, 1990 BREEAM Awards: 2008, 2007
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