Whitgift School Centre Quad

Our masterplan for Whitgift School plans to achieve an enhanced and sustainable school environment through simple and practical interventions. Its first phase consists of four projects that address pressing needs whilst enabling the implementation of later phases of the vision: a new 3G pitch, the rationalisation of parking and vehicle circulation, a new classroom block and covering an existing quad.

Our proposal to cover Whitgift School’s Biology Quad, the smaller of two original quads to the rear of the building, creates a new social, all-weather breakout area which will be known as Centre Quad. Currently there is no dedicated social area that lower school pupils can use during breaks in bad weather, putting additional strain on classrooms: there is an opportunity to address this shortcoming by internalising the ‘Botanical Quad’/Biology Quad located at the centre of gravity of the school, so that it would act as a counterpoint to the external Andrew Quad and provide a stimulating and inspirational gathering and breakout space throughout the year and a new, vital heart to the building and to school life.

At the upper levels the space would engage with the library and be overseen from the staff common room, as well as provide a working laboratory for the sciences; it could be used as a gallery for the arts and for receptions or other large assemblies.

Covering the quad would internalise the surrounding building elevations, reducing maintenance of the older fabric whilst both moderating and reducing heat gains and losses for adjacent spaces. This independent structure, with its own logic and respectful of the 1930s surviving elevation, would establish a strong, new identity.

Consultants

Structural Engineering: Perega

Environmental and Building Services: We Design For

Town Planning: Stiles Harold Williams

Transport and Highways: Steer

Heritage: Jon Lowe Heritage

Ecology: Ecosa

Arboriculture: Peter Thurman

Cost: Wenham O' Brien