The Charter School in south London was a cluster of dilapidated 1950s buildings, previously described as a ‘sink’ school, that had become ‘unfit’ for purpose. This was a dramatic transformation of existing buildings into an exemplary learning environment for 1200 pupils. The project was executed in a phased fashion beginning with the creation of a new entrance foyer which literally cut a slice out of a corner of the courtyard building.

There was a heavy emphasis on the environmental strategy to minimize energy, conserve and recycle resources. We observe this in the partially glazed new roof over courtyard which is used to collect solar energy and rainwater for recycling in the bathrooms; extensive green roofs improving biodiversity; and the heavy thermal mass of the existing concrete frame helping to stabilize internal temperatures.