Briefing framework for secondary school building projects

A good brief is the foundation for the success of any building project. The objective of the ongoing brief-making process is to clarify the intentions of the client and inform the design team of the requirements for the project1.

This document is designed to assist headteachers, governors and other stakeholders in the creation of a brief or any major project in a mainstream secondary school, with particular emphasis on the following issues:

• Part A: the process of creating a brief, and how the brief for any building project should fit within a strategic masterplan based on the school’s longer term vision for the future;

• Part B: the key design criteria that should be included in the brief to ensure that facilities are appropriate and adaptable to suit the changing circumstances of the future;

• Part C: minimum building area requirements for each of he six categories of space within the usable or net area, and for the remaining area of the buildings;

• Part D: minimum site area requirements for the various categories of outdoor spaces needed within the playing field area or net site area.