allford hall monaghan morris clads burntwood school with faceted concrete panels

Nominated for the RIBA stirling prize, the transformation of ‘burntwood school’ in south-west london sees the introduction of six new structures within an existing educational campus.

completed by allford hall monaghan morris, the design also reorganizes the site, with lawns, squares and a central pedestrian spine. four 4-storey teaching pavilions, a sports hall and a performing arts building, are placed among a number of retained buildings, including two by sir leslie martin, to form a complete and coherent campus.

the regularity of each plan is followed through to the elevation, with faceted precast concrete panels that correspond to a 7.5 meter structural grid. the pale and finely detailed cladding, with canted edges and different sized glazing, is playfully arranged on a rigid network creating an intriguing series of internal spaces.

internally, teaching spaces are arranged along a central corridor with voids and double-height volumes positioned at each end to increase natural daylight and make visual connections with the exterior. spacious classrooms are full of light, while each corridor culminates in a well-framed view of the campus.

 

six new structures includes four teaching pavilions, a sports hall and a performing arts building

 

the regularity of each plan is followed through to each elevation

 

faceted precast panels correspond to a 7.5 meter structural grid

 

the pale and finely detailed cladding is playfully arranged on a rigid network

 

a communal lawn is positioned at the center of the plan