SciTec Philosophy

Oundle SciTec is a unique response to the challenge of bringing together the teaching of Technology, Art and Aesthetics with the study of the Sciences in an innovative and unique way, continuing the pre-eminence of Oundle, both historically and currently, as a centre for the Sciences, Art, Design and Technology.

The general principles of the architectural design are:

• SciTec will embody and represent the ethos, identity and vision of Oundle School and the interlocking relationship of the Sciences, Art, Design and Technology.

• The combination of an integrated form that brings together the different elements of the site and surroundings, and exerts a new unifying force.

• SciTec will link symbolically, spatially and perceivably both new and existing buildings on the site by creating a new SciTec Gallery, evocative of historical precedent and forming a Science and Technology agora.

• The building will be perceived as part of the landscape and, as such, users will be aware of the surroundings from within the building.

• A series of non-hierarchical spaces with connections between the different levels, both physical and visual, to encourage learning from others and a sense of inquisitiveness.

• Spatial openness which not only stands for, but is a precondition of, the communicative atmosphere we wish to generate in SciTec.

• Diverse spaces with different experiences and activities to encourage students to learn, to discover, and to be creative while still maintaining contact with the landscape and nature, and the implied world beyond.

• The coming together of two routes which exploit the change in level of the site and create a raised upper level that links the disparate parts of the site and forms a focus for SciTec.

• The building will serve as a way of developing students' understanding of the issues of sustainability and appreciation of nature, both on an overt and discrete level. The building and its surrounding landscape will be a teaching tool.