Fulham Prep School

Fulham Prep School is a successful private school in Fulham, which was rapidly expanding and urgently required extra teaching and administrative accommodation. We were appointed as the school’s Architects in February 1999.

The school occupies beautiful purpose-built Victorian school buildings fronting onto Fulham High Street in London SW6, previously occupied by a Church of England Primary School.

The school acquired a redundant warehouse adjacent to the rear playground with the intention of converting this. However, structural considerations and space needs in excess of the existing floor area of the warehouse determined that a new building had to replace the warehouse.

The site for the new building is completely surrounded by buildings and access for construction vehicles was a major design constraint.

We developed the Brief and our proposals consist of three floors of classrooms, specialist teaching accommodation, a library and staff accommodation and a basement consisting of a multipurpose hall, music room and plant rooms. Negotiations with the Planning Authority were protracted because of the proximity of the new building to existing housing and the site being located in a Conservation Area.

The design of the building, which faces due south, relies on assisted cross ventilation for the upper floors and mechanical ventilation for the basement. It has adjustable external sun louvers to the south elevation.

Construction commenced in April 2000 and was completed in November 2001.

Photography: David McDowall

Quantity Surveyor:
Dobson White Boulcott

Structural Consultant:
The Budgen Partnership

Building Services Consultants:
Environmental Engineering Partnership

Key Services:
Brief Writing, Construction Techniques, Design for the Disabled, Full Architectural Service, Interior Design, Planning Advice

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