Category Archives: secondary school

How Kingsdale Foundation School was returned to its former glory

Kingsdale Foundation School first opened its doors to students in the year 1957, during the public sector building boom. Leslie Martin was the architect behind it; at the time, he was the architecture department’s director at the Greater London Council. When his finished designed was unveiled, it was praised for its modern look. However, four decades later, Kingsdale Foundation School had fallen from glory; it was showing signs of deterioration, both academically and architecturally, and was in desperate need of a change.

School-works was the initiative which would eventually help to transform Kingsdale Foundation School. This project was set up by the Architecture Foundation, who wanted to see whether or not a renovation of the buildings at Kingsdale Foundation School could have an effect on students ‘self esteem and their academic performance, as well as the overall morale of the student body as a whole. The initial funding for the renovation of Kingsdale Foundation School came from the DFES, although the first phase was such a success that further funding was then provided by the local council, and other organisations, to complete more work.

The design which the architects came up with exploited the original buildings at Kingsdale Foundation School – they decided that rather than demolish the older sections, they would refurbish them and bring them into the 21st century. For example, new performance and assembly spaces were added to the auditorium area of Kingsdale Foundation School, and new dining facilities, as well as a large, translucent roof were installed in the internal courtyard. The changes made to Kingsdale Foundation School mean that learning can now beyond the standard curriculum, as students can make use of the music hall, with its recording studio, and the stage area in the auditorium, for dance and performance. Even the corridors at Kingsdale Foundation School have been given a refreshing makeover, with new stairs, ‘bridges’ and aerial walkways added.

The designers and architects spent a year consulting, planning and collaborating before the work began at Kingsdale Foundation School, and many specialist engineers and artists were brought in to help with the final creations. For instance Gordon Cowley helped with the design of the geodesic, asymmetric auditorium, and the ‘useful art’ installation was provided by Atelier van Lieshout.

Kingsdale Foundation School | Taking a look at the School Works project which transformed one Southwark school

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School Works, an initiative developed by the Architecture Foundation, was created so as to determine whether or not there was a connection between the design of a school building and the learning standards, morale and behaviour of those attending it. In 1998, Kingsdale School, once a dilapidated comprehensive, was chosen as the prototype for this experiment.

The designers and architects who were a part of this initiative wanted to radically recycle, rather than replace, the school campus and it was this decision which transformed Kingsdale Foundation School. The re-design of the building, along with the changes made in the management of the school, resulted in sustainable, fundamental improvements to both academic performance and behavioural issues. Evidence of these changes can be seen in the official data which show ongoing improvements in exam results and outstanding behaviour and attendance.

The school building, constructed during the late fifties, was strategically redefined and edited, using one of the biggest ETFE roofs in the world. This transparent sheet which now covers the courtyard helped to create a ventilated and naturally lit space which is now home not only to a canteen, but also a geodesic, timber auditorium. Inside of the auditorium – or the ‘Pod’ as it is known-lies an integrated sculpture created by the artist Atelier Van Lieshout. The renovation project was carried out in phases, so as to make sure that the construction work did not intrude on student life too much.

The atrium was part of the first phase; following the positive reactions to it, the second phase was initiated. This involved the development of brand new music and sports buildings. These structures were made using timber panel, carbon negative construction materials. The designers who worked on them wanted to transform these somewhat generic, empty spaces into an expressive form of architecture which provided maximum flexibility and natural light.

‘Angular form’ was the theme for the music building; using just flat-packed timber, the design team managed to create an inspirational space which now features roof sculptures and innovative cladding detailing. The second phase was completed at the beginning of 2007. Such was the success of the project overall, that Kingsdale Foundation School was featured on the Channel 4 series, The Secret Life of Buildings, which examined how our physical surroundings affect our feelings and our behaviour.

Kingsdale Foundation School | Dozens of schools around in England in dire need of renovation

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Kingsdale Foundation School It is a sad fact that a huge number schools across the country are in desperate need of a re-design; it is hoped that a soon-to-be-announced school design competition will serve as inspiration for some much-needed changes to educational institutes around England. For decades, teachers, parents and students have been forced to make do with crumbling old classrooms, break rooms and offices.

Both students and staff members at dozens of schools have been complaining about the lack of hygiene and appropriate bathroom facilities for several years now, but in many cases, nothing has been done to address the problem. A survey which was recently carried out by staff members at a well-known UK university revealed that the bathrooms at said university were so badly designed and unhygienic, that two thirds of men and one third of women refused to use them.

Inspections of various schools around the country show that it is not merely the bathroom facilities which are in need of an update though – the results of these inspections show that the classrooms and staff break rooms are just as awful. Unfortunately, many schools have no other choice than to carry on and make do with the facilities they currently have. However, even schools that have the funding to make some changes are being criticised –experts from the Audit Commission have argued that the attempts made by certain schools to renovate their old buildings have been disappointing, and that the changes demonstrate a lack of vision.

There are however, a number of schools who seem to have hit the nail on the head when it comes to renovations. One example is Kingsdale Foundation School. This educational institute was, up until the early 2000s in a very different state. The buildings were dark, dingy and poorly designed, and had not been properly renovated in decades.

However, more than twenty eight million pounds was raised and subsequently invested in the redesign of the Kingsdale Foundation School buildings. The results have been amazing, with Kingsdale Foundation School now being listed amongst the most improved schools in the country. Architects and designers helped to completely transform the buildings, adding more natural light and space to the once dark and narrow corridors and classrooms. Kingsdale is now truly a school fir for the 21^st Century.

Kingsdale Foundation School – Leading the Way In Building Innovation

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Originally constructed in 1957, Kingsdale Foundation School had long been a feature of the Southwark landscape. Functional but lack-lustre, the old Kingsdale School fulfilled a vital role in the local education system. The gauntlet was thrown down, and the challenge was met head-on by the school’s management team. Just 3 years later in 2004 an award-winning architectural design was completed and unveiled. In the ensuing years Kingsdale Foundation School has become one of the most oversubscribed state educational institutions.

This inspirational transformation is an example of how investment and a belief in the energy and desire of young people to learn can deliver the seemingly impossible. The initial phase of the reformation of Kingsdale Foundation School was all about the buildings. Architects and designers worked closely with the school’s management to create a space that maximises the student learning experience at every stage.

Using groundbreaking architectural constructs, the project at Kingsdale Foundation School exploited the potential of the existing buildings to help create the immense roof covering the vast internal courtyard. Instantly pulling together previously separate elements of the school, this design improved student circulation and social integration within Kingsdale Foundation School. The innovative light-weight roof construction provided the framework within which a new curriculum approach to learning could thrive.

Within this largest internal space ever created in a UK school, the possibilities to maximise learning opportunities have been embraced to the full by Kingsdale Foundation School. A creative timber-framed geodesic auditorium sits at the heart of the internal courtyard, and offers an excellent space for music and drama performances and assemblies. The new music facilities are state-of-the-art, with plentiful spaces for students to let their creativity run wild. An innovative music curriculum at Kingsdale Foundation School wholeheartedly encourages this approach, and is supported by an energetic permanent and peripatetic staff.

The collaboration and consultation process that formulated the designs for the project from the architects drMM resulted in them receiving an M4I Demonstration Award in 2002. drMM also received the Woods Award in the same year for the auditorium design at Kingsdale Foundation School. It didn’t end there, and the awards kept coming. The Royal Fine Art Commission awarded Kingsdale Foundation School its Building of the Year Award in 2005, and in 2008 architect drMM also received the World Architectural Festival Award in the Learning category. All this serves to demonstrate what an iconic and fresh approach to the structure of the education environment has been put in place at Kingsdale Foundation School.

Kingsdale Foundation School | Many UK Schools in Need of a Makeover

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An upcoming national school design competition is likely to inspire both students and architects alike to create a more positive learning environment. For years now, students, parents and teachers in schools around the country have despaired at the state of their educational buildings. One of the biggest gripes relates to the unhygienic, old bathroom facilities typically found in schools around the country; a recent study carried out by Newcastle University showed that the bathrooms were in such a terrible state that thirty five percent of girls and sixty two percent of boys completely avoided using them.

However, it’s not just the bathrooms that are poorly designed and maintained in schools; the staff facilities and classrooms are equally appalling. Inspections have revealed that more than twenty five percent of schools around the country do not have adequate accommodation.

Many schools are struggling to cope with their existing facilities, and those that have tried to make changes are being condemned for their lack of forward thinking. A recent report from the Audit Commission criticised the current attempts at the refurbishment of several schools in England, arguing that the changes lacked vision and did not take into account the ever-changing curriculum of most schools. The report also said that those making the refurbishments were ignoring the opportunities they had to include adult learning centres for the community.

However, one school which has managed to get it right, in terms of re-design, is Kingsdale Foundation School. Up until the turn of the century, the original 1960s building was in serious need of a makeover. But the Kingsdale Foundation School principal, along with the organisation School Works, were up for the challenge; they successfully raised approximately £30 million to transform the school into one truly fit for the 21st Century. The result is a stunning educational facility and a safe and pleasant environment for students and teachers.

The improvements which have been noted since this re-design took place are dramatic, with Kingsdale Foundation School now being named as one of Southwark’s and the UK’s most popular state schools with parents and students The approach taken by the aforementioned organisation School Works is to improve the working and learning experience of everyone within a school, and so involved parents, staff, and students coming together to create a better place to learn.

Space-Age School Building Project | Kingsdale Foundation School

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Kingsdale Foundation School was the subject of an extensive, futuristic remodelling that could potentially alter the way we view educational buildings forever. The ground-breaking, award-winning project features the largest communal space in any UK school to date in the form of a geodesic dome, a new music block created in angular form in consideration of acoustic reverberation, and a sports hall that allows natural daylight without compromising on safety or playability.

The main auditorium is now in use as a multi-purpose space comprising of entry, circulation, dining, library and assembly areas. It has secondary use as a performance hall, film venue, presentation and meeting space and can comfortably seat three hundred people. Aerial walkways replace the traditional school corridors creating space for seating, providing sightlines and connecting staircases. This auditorium is currently the largest learning space in Britain and is used to encourage extra-curricular activity outside of the usual channels of learning.

Due to the use of computer-controlled cutting machines and materials giving a span to weight ratio of just 30kg/m² architects were able to superimpose the new EFTE ‘variable skin’ dome directly onto the existing super-structure without requirements for foundations. The materials used for the roof use integrated, automatic passive through-ventilation which mimics levels of solar activity and provides natural lighting throughout. Additional ventilation is implemented through ‘useful art’ sculptures. The auditorium provides a brand new focal heart for Kingsdale Foundation School, which was on the brink of demolition before the project was authorised. The brief for the auditorium and attached teaching accommodation was worked out through a lengthy and inclusive consultation process with all involved, especially the pupils.

The music block was created as a completely sustainable prefabricated construction project. Unique soundproof windows and the introverted character of the building make the acoustic reverberation ideal in a school that has long been noted for excellence in the music department.

The new sports hall moves away from the traditional ‘box’ dictated by the DfES and Sport England guidelines. The use of cross-laminated timber with factory quality finish enabled the architects to create a space that let in natural daylight without causing glare or other safety concerns.

Since construction the new build at Kingsdale Foundation School has won a series of architectural awards including the 2005 Building of the Year award presented by the Royal Fine Art Commission and the 2004 Wood Award for the auditorium. In 2008, the school was Highly Commended at the World Architecture Festival Awards in the Learning Category.