Scoil Phádraig is a recently-built 2,400m2 16-classroom primary school in the heart of Mayo’s heritage town of Westport. The design seeks to respect its sensitive context adjoining a protected structure, in its composition of new forms: the 2-storey element is at a distance, with the single storey element wrapping around a sheltered play courtyard, adjoining the historic Holy Trinity Church.

The school hall’s clerestory glazed screen faces the street as a public gesture. Each of the 16 classrooms is a distinctive colour, with matching floor finish, joinery, shop-front doors, benches and window liners. A boulevard of coloured paving leads from street to front entrance. Coloured ceiling panels guide students along the circulation to their coloured classrooms – like following the yellow-brick road. The communal areas share each class’s colour – from panelling across the school hall, to coloured paving within the courtyard, where a tiered amphitheatre provides a playful outdoor classroom.

Architect: Simon J Kelly Architects
Period: Contemporary
Access: Meet at front concourse at 1pm on Sunday October 01.
Architect-led tour by Simon J Kelly Architects at 1pm sharp.
Type: Primary School
GPS Latitude: 53.80210218713797 / Longitude: -9.521121959971651
The tour is held in association with AE17 and  Westport Arts Festival 2017.

Booking

This tour is available on a first come, first served basis.