Addey&Stanhope

Client - The Governing Body & Lewisham Council
Location - Deptford, London SE14
Appointed -
Estimated value - £3.4m

A major new building, located at the edge of the Deptford High Street conservation area, designed to allow the expansion of this successful voluntary-aided comprehensive secondary school to a full, four forms of entry (120 pupils per year).

The design places a three-storey classroom block facing west to define a formal front courtyard with a new, level entrance located between the new and old buildings. The computer suites facing east are located above the double height gymnasium circulation between runs north to south terminated by stairs at either end. The two blocks were contrasted externally through the use of terracotta rain-screen cladding and vertical tripartite windows set in response and dialogue with the rhythm, proportion and materials of the historic building. Separated by the vertical glazing of the stair window wall, the 'blue' brick of the gym block projects a forward looking image of the school, announced by lettering wrapped around a prominent corner. The extruded 'butterfly' roof section results in two contemporary, asymmetric gable elevations to terminate the original composition.

The building demonstrates a novel 'passive' design solution to the schools ventilation requirements. Wind-catchers located along the east and west ridges provide 'wind driven' fresh air ducted down to all the major teaching spaces. The impact of traffic noise from the adjoining road, measured at 70dB, is countered by lining the ducts with additional acoustic absorption. The high performance double-glazed windows are normally closed to block out the constant background hum of traffic noise. The building is featured as a Case Study in the DfES Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic Design of Schools.

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