Hendon School is a secondary school in the London Borough of Barnet. The brief was for a new building with two 90sqm dance studios, two 90sqm drama studios and ancillary spaces, to replace a dilapidated two room temporary building.
The design solution responded to the requirements for flexible and community use by allowing the drama and dance studios to combine to form two 180sqm spaces to be used for larger classes and performances. The design also ensured a strong visual relationship with existing school buildings and avoided the removal of protected trees. Community use was an important aspiration, not least to create a revenue stream for the school.
The project was subject to some challenging planning constraints relating to archaeology, tree protection, contractor access and acoustic protection of neighbours’ properties. All these matters were successfully resolved, and all conditions were discharged.
The project was partly funded by a Government Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) grant. The budget was tight for the facilities required. Some facilities, such as an outdoor amphitheatre, and light and sound equipment, were included in the planning approval for inclusion when the budget became available.
The building needed to be opened in time for the start of the school year in September 2019. For this reason, a design and build contract was entered into with an off-site fabrication company, TG Escapes. This approach reduced the onsite construction period and minimised disruption to the school, as panelised prefabricated units were manufactured off site.
A single storey design was developed to minimise visual impact on the existing school buildings, and the form of the building included an L shaped plan to optimise the available site area and minimise impact on the school’s sports field. Orientation was important, and the studios have extensive views over the sports field (which slopes away from the building) and Northeast London.
The construction period was 6 months. The building was successfully handed over in August 2019 and was operational for the beginning of the school term. The final account was within the contract sum and the available budget and feedback from the users was very positive.
