A Grade II Listed secondary school whose buildings dated from the 1950s. We were appointed by Wokingham Borough Council to create a new standalone science building containing 9 laboratories, a 150 seat lecture theatre, and associated support and educational breakout spaces. Additionally, a separate floodlit MUGA (multi-use games area) court was provided.
Following extensive option studies a courtyard solution was chosen in that this integrated well with the campus layout of the school. The courtyard is covered by a dramatic steel and glass canopy that provides a visual focus and, more importantly, provides covered outdoor space which was lacking at the school.
The building is fully inclusive in its design, allowing full disabled access on all levels, including both levels of the lecture theatre, and includes the option for sound fields within the lecture theatre.
Developed in close consultation with Sport England, English Heritage and the Local Authority’s Conservation team, the project had their enthusiastic support in the planning submission and in the finished construction.
