Dulwich College Laboratory
Dulwich College Laboratory
We worked with Grimshaw Architects to rebuild the College’s 1950s Science Building, as part of a 10 year Masterplan to renovate and upgrade facilities at one of the UK’s oldest and foremost independent schools.
The new, 4400m2 reinforced concrete science building comprises 2-3 storeys and is roughly S-shaped on plan with a steel-framed auditorium and atrium infilling the gaps. Contained within the RC floor slabs are Thermally Active Building System pipes which use groundwater from deep boreholes to activate the thermal mass of the concrete frame and reduce the requirement for mechanical heating and ventilation.
The demolition and construction was carried out successfully in two phases. As a result the school was able to retain and use part of the 1950s science block until Phase I was complete, thus reducing the number of temporary labs and classrooms required.
We also carried out a Student Transport Study to help the school further reduce the impact of the pre- and post-school traffic on the surrounding area and provided conservation advice on improvements to the setting of the School’s historic core.
Watch:
Dr Joseph Spence, Master of Dulwich College and sculptor, Peter Randall-Page RA, discuss how this unique building stands out from others of its kind.
Client: Dulwich College
Architects: Grimshaw
Images: Courtesy of McClaren (Contractor)
Video: Courtesy of Grimshaw