Founded in 1876, this top academic school in north London underwent an extensive redevelopment to ensure its long-term future was fit for the 21st century. Serving over 700 students, the school continues to thrive on the site it has occupied for over 120 years.
Girls Day School Trust
Architect
Hopkins Architects
Contractor
Wates Construction
Quantity Surveyor
Gardiner & Theobald
Working closely with the design team, to preserve the architectural intent for the client, careful attention was paid to every detail. Ensuring the original features were preserved, whilst delivering the desired additional space to boost the campus’ capacity, involved collaboration and close working together.
The new build school was constructed from a concrete frame adjacent to an existing block with a fully glazed full height atrium joining the two. A lightweight steel frame system was designed as slab infills and provided the backing structure for the brickwork as well as forming the apertures for the glazing system. We took full responsibility for the façade weathering line, paying particular attention to the brick and glazing junctures with the sequencing being steel framing, glazing and membranes and then the brick skin.
Glazing systems utilised were a stacked, stick curtain walling system with some parts capped and some structurally glazed. Once the glazing was installed, horizontal timber brise soleil cassettes provided the feature to the façade and retained some of the heritage from the previous building.
The adjacent existing building had the old façade removed and a new façade installed to match the new build giving a fitting facelift to the rest of the block.
Further areas of work included rooflights, integral glass vents linked to the BMS and architectural metalwork including cladding and copings that were designed to an exacting standard and finish.
Early involvement was fundamental to the successful design and delivery and enabled the chosen team to not only meet, but exceed the clients expectations. The choice of material palette and attention to even the smallest details gave a delightful finish that all help towards building the schools long term future in providing outstanding academic excellence.