The conversion of an existing classroom at Morgans Primary School in Hertford into two new SEND teaching rooms requires new sensory controlled environments to be created to support the children throughout the school day.
Available space was limited to a previously glazed-in courtyard, requiring the team at Black to find a unique solution within this semi-external area. Two Scandinavian inspired highly insulated plywood clad pods fill the space, tucked into the corners to allow a through route to be maintained. Curved ends soften the edges where the pods meet and create niches for children to interact with built in bench seating and storage areas on a raised floor.
Domed rooflights in the flat roofs let in secondary natural light, whilst porthole windows at both child and adult hights playfully connect the spaces with the main courtyard circulation areas.
