Replacing a single-storey structure built in 1982, the new scheme for Olga Primary School brings greater density with two distinct, three-storey elements separated by a glazed atrium: a teaching block and an administrative and community block, along with a standalone brick pavilion housing a Sure Start Children’s Centre. The teaching block is built from brick to reference its neighbours, while the community block is clad in Cor-ten steel, cantilevering over an entrance podium. Classrooms are arranged around the full-height atrium, across which bridges provide connections between the blocks. A series of roof terraces has been designed to give the feeling of ’walking through treetops’, giving back some of the outdoor space occupied by the new buildings. Our aim is to ensure that a new generation of schools inspires and nurtures learning. Olga Primary School has been designed to interact with nature in different ways at each level, creating a variety of experiences and teaching environments beyond the standard classroom. This vertical approach allows the school itself to encourage awareness of biodiversity, ecology and nature, which is often rare in an inner-city school. The building is highly energy efficient, with natural ventilation, heat recovery systems and a highly insulated building fabric to help achieve its BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.