Project Outline

Providing an inspiring, safe and secure learning environment for students who have been excluded from mainstream schools or have special educational needs, was the primary aim for the London Borough of Camden. Through the redevelopment and expansion of two Victorian school buildings on separate sites, Camden Centre for Learning (CCfL) has been realised, offering a specialist-learning environment for young people with social and emotional behavioral difficulties at Key Stage 3 and 4 learning years.

Rationale

Both sites have undergone extensive remodeling and refurbishment to update the buildings so that they answer the complex needs of the user group. Through the addition of complementary wings, Architype has sensitively and successfully doubled the accommodation, to increase the care provided by the centre and multi-agency NHS team.

Careful restoration reveals the grandeur of the existing buildings whilst providing state-of-the-art facilities for students with interests in food technology, art and DT, science, and hair and beauty. Grand Victorian halls have been reopened for dining and sport, and previously dysfunctional spaces have been renovated to accommodate staff areas, classrooms, consultation and individual learning rooms.

Sensitive Construction

Special care was taken in restoring the external brickwork, using gentle systems that retain the surface of the brick and the patina of age. Further repairs replaced bricks that were crumbling with replicas, even matching the aged mortar with the same colour and texture.

The existing sash windows were unsuitable for the users, so these were replaced with new timber ones that are visually similar, but easier to operate, with the glazing improved to slimline double-glazed units. Coloured window grilles provide protection and a decorative element, giving life to the building.

Complementing the existing, other materials chosen included hand-glazed, durable ceramic tiles, specified to reflect the Victorian era. Damaged Victorian cast iron downpipes were replaced with cast iron effect aluminum downpipes with an anti-climb profile, and all original decorative hoppers retained and repaired.

The KS4 building, located on Agincourt Road is situated in a conservation area, adding complexity to the application of exterior works. One of the major refurbishment works involved replacing the elaborate Victorian cast railings and Portland stone plinths, which had buckled due to the roots of a near by tree. New piled foundations were inserted and new plinths constructed, with the decorative ironwork salvaged and recreated.

The paint scheme varies subtly in the extension from the existing building, where an off-white tone has been chosen to subtly reflect Victorian paint technology of the times, which lacked pure white pigment. Great efforts were taken to retain the original plaster and cornices but these were found to be loose and dangerous so were removed, except on the beams where restoration was achieved.

Consultation Process

Architype worked closely with staff, pupils, care groups and NHS team to develop the design across both sites.

Designing for students with social and emotional behavioral disorders (SEBD) was the ultimate challenge of this project, and in delivering a successful outcome required in-depth understanding of the day-to-day challenges facing the schools.

Providing a safe and secure environment for all building users was critical, but equally the need for the finished school to not appear hostile or defensive, despite the many necessary interventions, which needed to be in place to protect users. The result has achieved a calm and modern learning environment with flexibility for future needs.

A key problem area for the clients were the doors, which are often damaged, and created a number of serious health and safety concerns. Bespoke doors were designed to open outwards so that, if kicked with force, they will not damage locks and trap users inside.

Fencing has been designed at a particular height to discourage pupils leaving the school premises and hurting themselves. The fencing selected is a hand woven durable wire, which is available in a choice of standard or bespoke patterns, working to improve the security, without limiting the architectural aesthetic. The pupils were involved in the process, helping to pick the floral pattern for the weavers through a vote that was held as part of the consultation.