Latymer Upper School London : Architecture Information

Performing Arts Centre, Latymer Upper School, London 2008 van Heyningen and Haward Architects Latymer Upper School Building photos © Nick Kane van Heyningen and Haward's involvement with the School began in 1996 when the practice won a limited competition to design a new Arts Centre (also a brick building), which was completed in 1999. Since then the practice has realised a number of projects at the School. as part of a larger masterplan, designed to improve the quality of this very constrained urban site over a number of years. The new building is 4-storey is located between the Arts Centre and the Main School building. Its southern end offers an exciting fully glazed foyer to a delightful new central square - the heart of the School. Due to its proximity, bridges link it to the Arts Centre which physically connects the School's creative offer. As you would expect, excellent acoustic design was of the paramount importance. Working closely with Arup Acoustics, the double-height music recital room offers an extremely high quality environment. Brick was chosen for the main envelope of the new building as a good quality low maintenance material and very much in keeping with the School's environment. The building is conceived as having brick fin walls to the East and West elevations, which address the existing red-brick buildings, and North and South elevations in differing materials "held" between. The Performing Arts Centre won the Brick Awards 'Supreme Building of the Year' award in 2008. "As architects van Heyningen and Haward are imaginative, receptive to client need, aware of the need for close team work, excellent at designing for tight urban spaces, forthright in open discussion and a pleasure to work with - I cannot recommend them highly enough." Alex Hirst, Deputy Head Latymer Upper School Building images / information from van Heyningen and Haward Architects