Location: South London

We were invited to submit proposals for the refurbishment and extension of an existing infant school in suburban south London. With the aim of expanding to become a Children's Centre, the school was in need of complete remodelling in order to accommodate more facilities and services.

The plans include the demolition of the cramped internal corridor and library spaces with the external landscape being drawn through the new heart of the school - The Piazza. The space created provides a flexible learning landscape - offering open plan or cellular spaces, which can adapt to school assemblies, class based learning or one-to-one tuition.

The two distinctive elements of the scheme are tiered together by a new lightweight timber roof, with distinctive 'wave' profile, to ensure the homely character of the existing school is retained and a welcoming new entrance landscape created.