Following previous successful collaborations, Kier London approached WGI with the opportunity to design a permanent home for Abacus Belsize Primary School in the London Borough of Camden. The selected site offers a great opportunity to reuse the fine, historic, Grade II listed 1913 Police Station and attached Magistrates Court as a two form entry school. The brief, to convert and extend the building on the listed site, provides a number of constraints and exciting challenges. It requires the ability to understand how to best capitalise on the inherent qualities of the existing building while also creating a school which functions as a learning environment.

WGI are leading the design team to create an affordable and buildable solution on the constrained site within the Conservation Area, which is in a highly regarded residential area. One part of the process has been to conduct pre-planning consultations with planning, conservation and highways officers as well as local residents, staff, parents, pupils and stakeholders.

The design is centred on the Grade II listed building, creating spaces within the existing fabric which are suitable for learning environments whilst providing an extension to the rear to provide the larger communal school. A play deck is accommodated on the roof of the extension to dissipate and reduce any acoustic disturbance to neighbouring properties which also enables external space at ground level to be used for outdoor learning; a key part of the ethos and curriculum at Abacus Belsize Primary School. The new extension distinguishes itself from the listed building through the materiality to preserve the conservation of the existing building.

Location: Hampstead, London

Client: Kier London

Value: £7m

Service: Architecture, Interiors, Landscaping: Full Design

Sydenham School was part of the second phase of the Lewisham BSF programme. WGI’s design solution was to build two new teaching blocks and refurbish the original 1917 school building to include a 6th Form and accommodate an additional 330 students, offering a total of 1470 pupil places.

The original campus consisted of a number of separate building blocks of various ages which had limited connectivity. The formation of a new ‘L’ shaped teaching block provides a cross-faculty link as well as external areas which respond to the activities within and reinforce the concept of a parklike setting. As a result, the different building elements are now connected in a way that both responds to the urban context and respects the importance of the original historical school building within a radically reconfigured complex.

Sydenham School is a science and mathematics specialist school with a nationally recognised, innovative and successful practice in STEM. It was therefore essential that the new design responded to the STEM teaching agenda and the approach was to express the specialist nature of the school through the design of a bespoke building. The STEM building contains larger room sizes, a higher level of services provision and an environment required for specialist teaching areas which have been specifically designed to support the education delivery required and as defined in the school’s education vision.

This was achieved within team achieved within the budgetary constraints and the EFA’s area reduction requirements and without compromising the functionality, effectiveness and quality of the teaching facilities.

Location: Lewisham, London

Client: London Borough of Lewisham

Value: £19.8m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

WGI recently delivered full architectural and interior design for Deptford Green School - part of Phase 2 of the Lewisham Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The existing upper and lower schools were split between two separate campuses. The new £27 million, 10,800m² building directly replaces the existing Victorian lower school and occupies a restricted street frontage site with a small urban park to the rear.
The design provides an impressive new street frontage whilst minimising the building's footprint and maximising available external space for both learning and social use. Larger than normal classroom spaces provide a wide range of teaching and learning arrangements to suit the current curriculum, and provide considerable flexibility for change. A main debating hall / conference centre at the heart of the school reflects and facilitates the key role of the student voice. The new facilities are ably complemented by double circulation and breakout areas, and sustainability and energy reduction are central to the development of the engineering design.

Location: Deptford, London

Client: Lewisham Education Partnership

Value: £27m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

Bonus Pastor Catholic College is a five form entry secondary school for girls occupying two separate sites; Winlaton and Churchdown campuses. Central to the design solution was a requirement to reorganise the layouts of the two sites to enable greater cohesion across the year groups with a new organisational model based on whole departments. The reorganised layout reduced movement which enabled the college to organise the curriculum more efficiently, improve pastoral care and create an environment for sustained improvement in teaching and learning.

The new buildings were occupied by the approximately 750 pupils in September 2012.The existing school was fully operational during construction works and as a result the new school buildings had to be constructed considerably closer to the popular local amenity, Green Chain Walk. As a result the external envelope was developed using a colour palette associated with the woodland and reflect the changing nature of those colours through the seasons, whilst also providing a contemporary finish to the school.

Both buildings are designed as a series of interlocking spaces, rather than rooms off corridors, with break out and circulation spaces providing opportunities for informal learning and display. Glimpses from one space to another allow for practical supervision as well as creating a sense of journey between the activity areas and faculties.

Location: Lewisham, London

Client: London Borough of Lewisham

Value: £15.6m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

Mount Carmel Catholic College for Girls is located in the north of Islington, London. The College is one of nine existing secondary schools within the borough and currently holds a roll of around 650 pupils. As part of Phase 3 of the Council’s BSF programme, the College was redeveloped in line with government policy to address basic needs and the condition of the building.

Within the budget constraints imposed, WGI were able to remodel and refurbish the existing building as well as create a new entrance link as a critical part of the reconfiguration of the floor plans. The main challenge and aim of the design was to rationalise the faculties to enable teaching which supported the technology specialism of the college, which the scheme was successful at.

The new entrance not only reinforces the presence of the school and its identity but also improves accessibility within the existing complex. WGI also introduced a concourse area that serves as a multifunctional social, teaching and interaction space. The design also introduced external areas which respond to internal activities and reinforce the park-like setting with improvements to the circulation and amenity spaces.

Location: Islington, London

Client: London Borough of Islington

Value: £8m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

The existing Highgate Wood Secondary School - originally built in 1961 - had been extended under an earlier PFI scheme. This had not resolved historical circulation problems, but instead compromised the central dining and library facilities. Under the Haringey Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, WGI was briefed to solve these core problems by re-creating a central 'heart' using clear and defined circulation areas and a totally new two-storey dining and central learning resource area. In addition to this centrepiece, extensive refurbishments included work to the stage area of the school hall and other facilities, creating sixth form study rooms and music practice rooms. External learning and social areas were also enhanced with new covered learning and performance areas.
The new central areas have been completely transformed and departments that were previously disconnected are now part of the school's new integrated feel. The £3.5 million project was delivered through the Haringey Framework of Design Team Partners.

Location: Haringey, London

Client: London Borough of Haringey

Value: £3.5m

Service: Architecture: Planning Design

Highbury Fields School is a Secondary School including a sixth form with a current roll of 750 pupils based in in London Borough of Islington. It is one of a number of existing secondary schools within the borough which were redeveloped as part of the Islington's BSF programme. Despite the existing school being a complex with a mix of building styles and age, they all had a level of level of quality and individuality which formed the basis of the design in the way they were brought together, with the reconfiguration of the floor plans and the introduction of the new entrance building.
In view of the project's limited budget, particular care was taken to maximise the impact and concentrate on resolving the school's primary requirements to address basic needs and condition in the most economical way. The courtyard was covered between the science block and the main building to provide additional space and a more functional school entrance in the context of the new internal layouts and to reinforce the separation between pupils and visitors. As a prominent feature from the street the new entrance reinforces the school's identity and offers the public glimpses into the working school.
The choice of materials and colours was a significant part of the detail design as a way of enhancing wayfinding and highlighting the unique qualities of the buildings that make up the school complex.

Location: Islington, London

Client: London Borough of Islington

Value: £8m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

New River College is a new 'alternative provision' school in a new building that replaces a late Victorian Board School no longer fit for purpose. It was a Phase 2 project for Islington Building Schools for the Future (BSF).
WGI's brief was to design a new building that accommodated three currently separate groups of students in order to manage challenging behaviour whilst creating a coherent, whole school environment promoting dignity, respect and ownership. Circulation areas needed to be very carefully considered to provide the necessary passive supervision whilst maintaining opportunities for flexible learning and managed social interaction.
The 1,700m² two-storey building is designed on a simple grid format. All teaching spaces are the same size, creating inherent flexibility for re-configuration to suit future curricular changes. It also allowed for the innovative use of standardisation and offsite-manufactured wall panels. The £5 million project is Balfour Beatty Education's first new building to be designed and constructed using its 'Form' standardised and flexible building solution.

Location: Islington, London

Client: Balfour Beatty Construction

Value: £5m

Service: Architecture: Full Design

As technical advisors to the EFA, WGI were appointed to assess the suitability of an existing mixed use building for conversion into a two form entry primary school. WGI prepared a feasibility study in order to gain funding approval for the Free School provider, Constable Education Trust (CET). Following the feasibility study, WGI were novated to the contractor to take the project to planning and develop the technical design for construction. The school was completed and open for the 350 pupils in time for the new school year in September 2014.
The existing building was a four storey warehouse building with associated office accommodation. The main challenge of the project was to utilise the existing landlocked building envelope to its full potential without the benefit of any significant frontage. This involved the introduction of additional floor levels and extensive roof glazing within part of the former warehouse to form a central atrium and create a new roof top play area.

Location:Tower Hamlets, London

Client:Willmott Dixon

Value:£3.5m

Service:Architecture, Interiors: Feasibility and Full Technical Design

The Octagon Centre is part of the Haringey Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Existing provision in the original 1960s-built Alternative Provision (or Pupil Referral Unit) facility was poor - lacking in character and rarely used by the students it was intended to support. Expansion to a 21st Century education provision for 80 students, involving both refurbishment and extension, was largely dictated by the existing strong geometrical plan form of an octagon inside an irregular hexagon. WGI's design solution integrated all extensions closely to the existing structure, producing a more legible design and a building with a strong geometry and image of its own.
The facility has been completely transformed, is fully occupied and is a complete success, according to the London Borough of Haringey. An innovative, ICT-rich independent learning area is complemented by specialist vocational facilities and provision to maintain a maximum group size of eight pupils in general teaching areas.
The 2,000m² project delivered through the Haringey Framework of Design Team Partners.

Location: Haringey, London

Client: London Borough of Haringey

Value: £4.2m

Service: Architecture: Full Design

WGI's brief for the masterplanning and architectural and interior design of a new Allerton High School in the northern part of Leeds, was to replace a tired 1930s grammar school building. The showcase new school was to incorporate a wide learning street with a main entrance opening into an atrium space that celebrated the school's Business and Enterprise Specialist School status. A particular challenge was that the existing buildings had to remain in full operation during construction.
The new state-of-the-art accommodation was built in a striking, geometric triangular plan. The school had been successful in securing additional funding to incorporate a unique multi-faith centre, enabling further development of its extended schools' programme for extensive community use. A specialist inclusive learning centre was also included. The £23 million, 12,000m² building, which opened on schedule, was part of the first wave of Leeds BSF schools that were awarded 'Best Operational LEP' in 2008 by Partnership for Schools.

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Client: E4L for Leeds City Council

Value: £23m

Service: Architecture: Full Design

Allerton Grange High School, in the Moortown district of Leeds, was a Phase 1 project for Leeds Building Schools for the Future (BSF). WGI’s bid won E4L (working for Leeds City Council) the school’s full architectural and interior design.

The new 13,500m², £23 million building exploits a considerable slope along its entire length by stepping gracefully with the existing contours. Together with a wide learning street, the stepped design creates interest and expression with several double height spaces that welcome visitors and students and emphasise the school’s commitment to use by the wider community. A large, impressive entrance area adjoins the dedicated art facilities, showcasing the school’s Specialist Art College status. The building also features a specialist unit for hearing-impaired students. The project plan ensured that the original, tired 1950s building remained fully occupied during the new build replacement.

Allerton Grange was part of the first wave of schools within Leeds BSF which was awarded ‘Best Operational LEP’ in 2008 by Partnership for Schools.

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Client: E4L for Leeds City Council

Value: £23m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design

Mayfield School was a proposal for a three storey classroom building to accommodate four additional forms of entry, a sports hall and two multipurpose games areas.

WGI's winning design concept was to provide a light and airy learning environment, avoiding dark corridors and poor ventilation while offering spatial flexibility and minimizing wasted spaces.

The main challenge that the design team had to address was to find an innovative approach to design, which delivered efficiency, sustainability within the budget reductions set by the Government targets.

The solution was the use of standard design elements in the form of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) beams, which prefabricated offsite, would reduce the programme and budget.

WGI effectively used the collaborative BIM process and worked closely with all members of the design team on design evaluation, coordination and optimisation. This offered a great advantage over a traditional CAD platform as the CLT data within our BIM software and structural analysis software were ready to be used for fabrication of the beams offsite.

Location: Redbridge, London

Client: London Borough of Redbridge

Value: £20m

Service: Architecture: Full Design to Stage 2+

WGI's brief at Leeds' Temple Moor High School was to completely refurbish a community school housed in predominantly 1950s school buildings originally designed to house 550 students, into a new learning environment for 1220, with specialist provision for 30 students with high care needs. A particular challenge was the legacy ground floor environment that presented 17 different floor levels, clearly far from ideal for children with physical difficulties. Not only this, but refurbishment had to be phased with the minimum disruption during term time.
The use of light and space in the design allowed full circulation around the entire school without having to leave the building. This improved movement throughout the school and reduced transfer times. Wide learning zones replaced corridors, allowing students and staff to work openly together, stimulating enthusiasm and enhancing collaborative learning. New build science, technology and sports areas are also featured. The project has provoked highly positive reaction from staff, students and Education Leeds alike. WGI attributes much of the success of the £20 million project to a strong partnership approach and robust team relationships.

Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Client: E4L for Leeds City Council

Value: £20m

Service: Architecture, Interiors: Full Design