Lodge House
Education, Historical/Listed
Location:
Kingston, Surrey
Client:
Holy Cross Preparatory School
RIBA Stages:
1 – 7 (Inception to Completion)
Description:
The client came to us looking to convert, extend and extensively remodel a locally listed historic lodge-house into new classrooms for 3 and 4 year old pupils as part of their existing preparatory school facilities, with the goal to provide two fully equipped modern classrooms, staffroom, washrooms and a separate quiet room. The building is located on the extensive estate of the original manor house, later a converted school, built by John Goldsworthy in 1884, which also features the Victorian Gothic styling of the Lodge.
As well as the alterations and refurbishment of the existing building a new single storey extension with panoramic windows and skylights was added to the rear, creating a naturally lit and well-ventilated teaching space with direct views and access into the new playground. The previous rear garden, now the new playground, undertook a complete re-design to transform it into a safe and fun education environment, including a multi-coloured wet pour safety surface, play equipment and accessibility ramp.
Creating a clear contrast with the new modern interior, external materials, such as Flemish bond brickwork, were carefully selected to suit the location within the Coombe Wood Conservation area, ensuring agreement with the local council. The surrounding environment was also taken into consideration through the use of both metal screw piled foundations and ‘non-dig’ landscaping methods, which were applied to suit the sensitivity of the multiple surrounding mature trees.
