OVERVIEW
Dame Alice Owen’s School, a leading secondary school in Hertfordshire, is committed to providing high-quality facilities for its students and the local community. As part of this commitment, the school identified the need to rebuild its existing sports hall to meet modern standards and support the delivery of a comprehensive PE curriculum.
THE BRIEF
The existing sports hall at Dame Alice Owen’s School was in poor condition, with significant issues related to circulation, accessibility and energy efficiency. The school required a modern facility that would enhance the PE curriculum and continue to serve the local community and clubs. Barker was selected to conduct a feasibility study, having previously worked with the school on their new Sixth Form Block. The study explored various options, including replacement, refurbishment and rebuilding, ultimately determining that a rebuild with partial retention of substructure and frame was the most cost-effective and sustainable solution
THE CHALLENGE
The primary challenge was to redesign the sports hall to include improved changing room facilities, increased staff areas, and a more welcoming environment for both the school and the community. The project was constrained by adjacent teaching blocks and tennis courts, as well as the Green Belt location, which required a design sympathetic to its surroundings. The limited space added complexity to the task of creating a facility that met all the requirements.
THE OUTCOME
The solution involved retaining the structure of the existing sports hall and demolishing the single-storey ancillary facilities. The ancillary facilities were redesigned to follow the footprint of the existing building, with enhanced accessibility, circulation, and facilities. An existing plant room from an adjacent building was integrated into the proposal to improve external circulation. The result is a modern, functional sports hall that meets the needs of the school and the community, with improved facilities and accessibility.
Our experience and vision have shaped hundreds of projects across sectors, from energy and funding to architecture and design, helping bring ideas to life.
