The design of the sixth form center for Phoenix High School resembles ‘liquorice allsorts’. The GBP8.7 million ($14 million approx.) building is considered to be the largest cantilevered building in Europe with the upper levels popping out from the ground floor into a 24 meter cantilever above the car park.
The new building will be located adjacent to the other buildings in the school campus, built in the 1950s. The sixth form center is designed to feature vertical timber panels of varying sizes which are repeated at random levels. The timber panels are framed in various colors, giving the appearance of a string of liquorice allsorts.
Project leader Nick Rogers said that the cantilevered building’s columns securing the ground floor building, are driven 35 meter into the ground. This has been done to defend against the uplift force generated by the cantilever.
Bond Bryan specializes in master planning and urban design. The firm is very keen on adopting sustainable design practices.
Liquorice allsorts consist of a variety of liquorice candies sold as a mixture, first produced in Sheffield, UK, by Geo. Bassett & Co Ltd.
