- /
- /
- /
|
News
Renowned architects chosen to design three Southwark primary schools
24 July 2007
Ref: PR5503
Three of the UK's most innovative and renowned architects have won an international design competition run by Southwark Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to modernise three primary schools in Southwark.
The three architects will transform Michael Faraday Primary School (Aylesbury Estate), Eveline Lowe Primary School (Bermondsey) and Southwark Park Primary School (Bermondsey) into some of the very best school buildings in Europe by the end of 2009.
The winning firms (below) were chosen from 90 entrants after they submitted concept designs for one of three Southwark schools.
SMC Alsop - Michael Faraday Primary School
HKR Architects with John Pardey Architects - Eveline Lowe Primary School
Birds Portchmouth Russum - Southwark Park Primary School
The competition was part of the Southwark Schools for the Future programme that aims to transform education provision in Southwark. The programme includes academies, secondary schools, primary schools and children's centres.
Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Southwark Council’s executive member for children’s services and education, said: “Southwark has an exciting future ahead. The council has embarked on one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe, which will transform the borough.
"Education has a vital role to play in building safe and sustainable neighbourhoods so we are building new and better schools for the young people of Southwark.
"We want Southwark to be a place where good quality education and children’s services support families and communities, who choose to live, work and learn here. We want our schools to be stimulating, safe and successful learning environments. They will be there for children and young people, but they will also provide facilities for the communities they serve.
"We are striving for the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable primary schools. SMC Alsop, Birds Portchmouth Russum, and HKR Architects with John Pardey Architects have shown they can meet our challenge and produce inspiring buildings of exceptional quality, sustainability and functionality. We’re very pleased to have attracted architects of this calibre and look forward to working with the three firms as we transform our schools."
ENDS
Notes for editors
Note 1
Each school represents unique challenges and opportunities:
Michael Faraday Primary School is in the heart of the Aylesbury Estate, and will be one of the first new buildings delivered as part of the area’s regeneration. An exemplar community school is to be built with integrated adult learning facilities and expanded community facilities.
Eveline Lowe Primary School in Bermondsey is currently housed in a 1967 Grade 2 listed building, and an Edwardian building on a split site. The school is to be expanded and modernised to create a 21st century school that respects the design philosophy of the existing listed building.
Southwark Park Primary School is a Grade 2 listed Victorian school built by ER Robson for the London School Board. The school is to be expanded and modernised to create a 21st century school that celebrates its Victorian heritage.
Note 2
The Southwark Schools for the Future project is divided into four programmes:
Building Schools for the Future: Funding under wave three of the government's BSF programme will lead to improvements for: Archbishop Michael Ramsay, Notre Dame, Sacred Heart, St Michael's RC, St Saviour's and Olave's, St Thomas the Apostle, Walworth, Tuke, Highshore, Bredinghurst, Spa, pupil referral units and at least one new secondary school.
Kingsdale, Waverley School and Charter received 'Quick Win' funding during the first wave of the BSF programme, which has already resulted in building improvements.
DfES Academies programme: Geoffrey Chaucer and Joseph Lancaster, and Bacons CTC are all at varying stages of becoming academies. Archbishop Michael Ramsay and Walworth School will also become academies. These schools join The Academy @ Peckham, City of London Academy, Harris Girls' Academy and Harris Bermondsey Academy which are already up and running. A new academy for boys is also proposed for East Dulwich.
Primary programme: this includes a first phase of investment in Michael Faraday, Eveline Lowe and Southwark Park primary schools, with a second wave of investment under consideration.
Children's centre programme: a first phase of investment in children's centres for children up to the age of five and their families is near completion. A second phase of investment is currently being planned to make places available across the whole borough.
