Extending the insufficient existing school site, Tufnell Park Primary School enlisted Haverstock to expand the school’s capacity from a 1.5-form entry school to a 3-form entry school alongside a 72-place nursery. The site presented extremely complex challenges due to site constraint, including its position in an area of conservation, and the requirement to stay operational during construction.
Through careful analysis, it was concluded that due to site parameters and a desire to limit the impact on the existing school community, the most suitable solution was to use a phased strategy of demolition and construction. The modules were delivered and installed within 5.5 weeks, with the 3 storey building being watertight with the majority of internal finishes completed in less than 1.5 months, with the school remaining fully operational during the works.
Education
London Borough of Islington
Islington, London. UK
£13m
2019
Due to the site’s position within an area of conservation, community and school consultation was key. Influencing adjacencies of spaces, materiality and the visual impact of the school, culminating in a educationally rich environment with a strong civic presence. Inspired by the Victorian stucco detailing of the neighbouring buildings, bespoke laser-cut screens were installed, offering a playful visual with high-quality materiality that related to the surrounding area.
Haverstock delivered a sensitive, phased expansion of Tufnell Park Primary School, doubling its capacity while keeping it operational. The design responds to conservation constraints, creating a high-quality, educationally rich environment with strong civic presence and playful detailing inspired by local heritage.
Civic Trust Award Regional Finalist, 2021
SPACES Yearbook, Finalist, 2021
New London Architecture Awards Learning Category, Finalist, 2020
“From the outset, the process was one of consultation and collaboration. Haverstock went out of their way to establish a deep understanding of our context, our community and our vision. At each stage, David and Claire presented us with a range of creative options to explore further, ensuring final decisions and solutions were well considered, and always driven by the needs of the school. We now have a building that functions extremely well and provides the purposeful, exciting and aspirational environment our children and families deserve.”
