The Solar Building

The Solar Building is a school building completed in 1962, designed by Emslie A. Morgan, who was the Assistant Borough Architect of Wallasey Corporation.

The south elevations are entirely glazed, featuring two layers of glass set 24 inches apart within metal frames. The outer layer is clear glass, while the inner layer consists mainly of translucent diffusing glass, along with some reversible aluminium panels that are painted black on one side to absorb heat during winter. There are also areas of black-painted masonry behind the outer glass, intended to absorb heat, and a series of white-painted shutters can be adjusted to control heat absorption. Additionally, there are openable, single-glazed windows at intervals. The other walls are constructed of masonry and timber, with some insulated and covered in felt for weather protection. The roof is steeply pitched, insulated, and felted.

At the rear, there is a brick kitchen wing featuring a circular brick boiler house chimney. The building is primarily two storeys high, with linked cranked blocks facing south. The assembly hall is located to the west and the gymnasium to the east, both reaching the full height of the building. A corridor runs along the north side, with ventilators that open from the classrooms.

The interiors retain their original light fittings. The assembly hall features an impressive suspended ceiling with a curved design above the entrance area and stage. The school was a pioneer in the use of passive solar energy and implemented energy conservation methods well before they became common practice.