SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2004

Commended

London Borough of Lambeth: Lambeth Kings Avenue School

Kings Avenue School is one of four new ‘landmark’ primary schools commissioned as part of Lambeth’s ‘Action for Education’ primary school development strategy.

The scheme involved the modification and extension of two existing schools to form a three-form entry primary school, with reception and nursery classes on one site and primary years 1-6 on the other. In addition to providing a carefully planned environment for the children, the school will stay open after hours to provide learning facilities for the local community.

The original 1960s building has been remodelled and up-graded internally, and the entrance block largely re-built, while another two storey block has been converted to house a nursery. Two new extensions provide eight additional classrooms facing the street, creating a colourful and inviting impression for passers by.

Sustainability was a key issue and the new buildings reflected this. European Oak was used for cladding, recycled car steel for the roof and the classrooms were naturally ventilated with ‘wind chimneys’.

Funding for the development of the external space was obtained from Space for Sport and the Arts, one of the first such schemes in the country, including floodlit sports pitches and changing rooms for use by the school and the local community.

The school has been designated a ‘centre of excellence’ for visually impaired children, and the design incorporated a wide variety of sensory aides to make the whole building more accessible for them.

Testimony from governors indicates that the school has been very well received: “the building design is uplifting, and children, staff and parents have all responded well”. The school was short-listed for the 2003 RIBA Awards and a Civic Trust Award.

Architect: Shepheard Eustin Hunter
Quantity Surveyor: Faithful & Gould
Structural Engineer: John Savage Associates
Main Contractor: Buxton Building Contractors