King's School Canterbury Collection
A series of commissions for The King’s School Canterbury £48m plan.
As part of The King’s School Canterbury £48 million development plan, five projects have been undertaken: the Malthouse Performing Arts Centre, Kingsdown House, Mitchinson’s Day House, an International College, and the Precincts project with the Rausing Science Centre and additional dining facilities—all in collaboration with Skelly & Couch.
The 19th-century Malthouse is a new performance centre for the school, comprising drama and dance teaching facilities, a 350-seat auditorium, theatre foyers, as well as science and art teaching accommodation. It also includes commercial kitchen and dining facilities.
Phase 1 of the Kingsdown House refurbishment created boarding accommodation for 30 pupils, including a common room, study area, and kitchen. For phase 2, a new building was constructed for the older pupils of the house. Kingsdown House won three 2019 Canterbury Society Design Awards and a 2018 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Commendation.
The masterful conversion of a Grade II-listed building provided the Mitchinson’s Day House for 70 non-boarding pupils, featuring study and social spaces, changing rooms, and a kitchenette; ensuring high levels of comfort while minimising operational energy consumption through passive design.
The International College is a purpose-built teaching and residential building designed for international students to live and learn in Canterbury. It offers 34 ensuite bedrooms for students, as well as flats for staff and specialist teaching facilities. Constructed in cross-laminated timber, the three-storey building wraps around a private courtyard for socialising and learning.
Resolving two main challenges on the school’s site, the Precincts Project has updated and co-located science facilities to bring them up to a world-class standard and increased dining and social provision to cater for a larger school population.
The Rausing Science Centre is the school’s first new construction since the 1970s. Situated within a World Heritage Site with a rich archaeological history and Grade I-listed buildings, the centre was meticulously designed to blend with its environment. It features six state-of-the-art physics labs, a versatile auditorium for up to 140 people, and dedicated spaces for staff and circulation. it connects with refurbished biology and chemistry facilities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Lastly, the ground floor of the Grade II listed Shirley hall has been reconfigured to create a second lunchtime venue, providing additional space for students to enjoy meals in a historic and scenic setting.
The developments at King’s School, Canterbury bring the UK’s most historic school to a world-class standard by meeting the educational needs of today while respecting the architectural legacy of the past.
Awards
Winner of a RIBA National Award 2021.
Winner of three RIBA South East Awards 2021: Main Award, Building of the Year and Conservation
Civic Trust Awards 2023.
Winner of an AJ Retrofit Award 2021: Cultural Buildings £5 million and over.
Winner of three Canterbury Society Design Awards 2019: Overall Winner; New Building in a Conservation Area; and best Refurbishment.
Commended at the Civic Trust AABC Conservation 2018.
Shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award 2019.
Winner of a RIBA National Award 2021.
Highly Commended at the in the Civic Trust Awards 2022.
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