Our proposal involved the full restoration and conservation of the protected school buildings, with energy efficiency and ventilation upgrades to provide the best environments for teaching and learning. We connected the two buildings with a contemporary glass and corten steel extension that would provide a library, an assembly space, pocket roof terraces and administration facilities all connected by circulation space that enables social interaction, opportunities for small lessons and play on rainy days.

The library is placed up above an existing stone wall on the corner of St. Laurence Place East and Seville Place, and takes in views of the historic streetscapes through tree canopies which give a connection with nature in this urban environment. The materiality of the new contemporary interventions are sympathetic to the adjacent brick and stone structures and create a new awareness of the school to the public. Throughout the building there is a tangible connection to the original Victorian structures, with ashlar stonework left exposed in many areas to give both texture and contrast to the interiors. During the project the interior cement based plaster was fully replaced with a breathable cork-infused lime plaster, the roof structures were insulated with wood-fibre and new highly insulated windows were installed in place of previous replacement windows.

Externally, a rainbow playground surface radiates outward towards Sherrif Street from the church building in sharp contrast of the surrounding stone structures to create a fun and exciting backdrop to the outdoor space for pupils to enjoy. Our design for this project works hard to make the most out of a very small space. The site was previously austere and defensive in its presentation to the street, where now it is open and welcoming, with meaningful and inspiring facilities that support the ethos of the school and provide a sanctuary for children in the area.