Robert Fitzroy Academy

Renovation, conversion, and extension to the existing Davidson Centre Buildings have delivered a four-form entry primary school, the Robert Fitzroy Academy. The scheme provides places for 840 pupils and 90 teachers, and helps to assuage the high local demand for primary places.

Location

London, UK

Area

4,175 m2

Status

Completed

Year

2014

Client

London Borough of Croydon

The original school site consisted of a 1950s brick building linking two early Edwardian buildings, which were locally listed. A 1970s modular steel frame building formed the gym, sports hall, and dining hall.
Architype visited the Croydon Archives Office to find as much historic information as possible, including the original architect’s summary of the building, so that a sensitive approach could be adopted as part of the refurbishment and remodelling process.

The approach incorporates and restores original features where possible, particularly where they relate to the building’s eventful history. Architype decided that the new works would be adding a new layer of history, and crucially would need to provide a school environment that caters for contemporary education practices.

My first thought when I saw it was “lucky kids”.

Architects' Journal Retrofit Award Judge

How we are building on 40 years of innovation to address the challenges of the future

Architype

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Is demolition and rebuild always the solution?

Circular Economy

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Vision

All vision

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Design

This complex refurbishment involves a range of historic building issues including creating new openings in the existing façade; reactivating the original ventilation system; and inserting new services and insulation.

Working closely with Croydon planning and conservation officers, Architype remodelled and refurbished the buildings into an inclusive 21st Century teaching and learning campus, developing a vibrant rebranding scheme, whilst respecting the original architectural character and history. Stripping out later architectural additions and creatively combining undersized classrooms rationalised the plan, minimised extension of the footprint, and restored original features.

A series of small extensions bring class spaces up to date. Contemporary additions are clearly delineated, using zinc with coloured highlights and separating strips between the Edwardian buildings.

A strategy of using self-finished, robust materials externally has been followed to provide a long-life, easy to maintain building, which has a similar material honesty to the existing buildings. The colour scheme responds to the original Edwardian use of colour with coloured window frames, blinds, louvres, fencing, etc, all contributing to an interesting environment for the children. Colour has been used around the entrances to give welcoming warmth.

Expertise

A new landscape

A new external landscape scheme is defined by a series of spaces articulated around a bold ‘river’ spine (a concept informed by the Norbury Brook which is culverted beneath the site), which ties together from north-east to south west.