St Paul’s School – General Teaching Building, Barnes

Walters & Cohen Architects for St Paul’s School
Contract value: undisclosed 
GIA: 9,714m²

The new building, replacing a 1960s equivalent, includes 55 classrooms, library, secular hall, new social hub, dining room, kitchen, change rooms, lockers, a variety of breakout spaces, energy centre for the whole site, and better use of outdoor spaces. The school’s ethos is for learning, discussion and interaction to happen everywhere, with the atrium, breakout spaces and newly landscaped Founder’s Court fulfilling this function. In line with the school’s ‘great not grand’ ethos, the building’s scale and proportions do not overshadow existing buildings. The simple material palette and facades signal cogency, while sufficiently varied to bring interest and life to the building. The library is positioned such that it can be seen from across the river, as a symbol of scholarship.

See the rest of the South London shortlist here. And all the RIBA Regional Awards shortlists here.