This extension is the fifth major project carried out at St Lawrence’s by Ferrey & Mennim in an eight year working association with the excellent head teacher and governors. The improvements at the school both in the physical environment and in teaching and social care has meant that the present staff room has not been able to cope with the increase in staff numbers and pressure on space.
The design is principally conceived as a meeting place, whether for informal staff breaks, formal staff & governor meetings or small group teaching of pupils. The religious basis of the school (it is a Church of England Primary School and the head teacher is on the PCC of the nearby St Laurence’s Church), spawned the idea of a lofty space “in the round”, mimicking the plan and section forms of a Chapter House, the traditional meeting space of the church hierarchy in Cathedrals. The interior will be finished in timber and plastered walls, with glazed facades giving views out into the school grounds and informal supervision of the infants/reception play area.
The project is due to be completed in September 2006.
Client: The Headmaster and Govenors of St Lawrence’s School
Glulam Frame and Structure: Kingston Craftsmen
Structural Engineer: DAC Wood
Quantitiy Surveyor: Turner & Holman
