To further complicate matters, the school was housed in a Grade II
listed building within Clapham Common Conservation Area.
Adams+Collingwood Architects addressed the challenge in two
phases, delivering a solution that met all of the school’s ambitions,
while also delivering sustainability features in line with London
Biodiversity Action Plan. Through considerate design and delivery,
the new school improves the wellbeing of pupils, aids their
understanding of sustainable solutions and enhances the character
of the local area.
The initial phase saw Adams+Collingwood Architects introduce a
(now well-loved) covered play area and green wall to the school.
The second phase continued the green theme. A sensitively designed
new building provided two dining halls, specialist science, design &
technology and nursery classrooms at ground level and basement
floor. Another lush green wall and contemporary materials palette
was used to enrich the local neighbourhood.
The school’s ecological management plan takes its cue from the
London Biodiversity Action Plan, with habitat enhancements
including additional tree planting, a sedum roof and living green
wall. Adams+Collingwood Architects also included roof-level
photovoltaic cells and a rainwater harvesting tank below the
playground. This supplies grey water to the whole school, while
lambswool insulation also encloses part of the previously un-
insulated existing building.
THROUGH CONSIDERATE DESIGN AND
DELIVERY, THE NEW SCHOOL IMPROVES
THE WELLBEING OF PUPILS, AIDS THEIR
UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS AND ENHANCES THE
CHARACTER OF THE LOCAL AREA.