Torriano Primary School

The brief for this STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ‘Activity Lab’ for this school in Kentish Town, north London was to provide a ‘space like no other’. The response was to convert a two-storey ‘turret’ at the top of the school and create a small, shiny and shingled roof-top extension with an external learning terrace.

The extension provides a space where primary-school aged children can engage in active and physical experiments and testing of technology-based subjects. The designs were developed through workshops with the school’s pupils and Artist in Residence, Jack Cornell, to explore, test, draw and model the future uses of the space.

The new space features a double-height activity zone with irregular, CNC-cut, laminated ply portals to define the space. The portals include openings that facilitate activities to enhance practical teaching such as where pulleys can be hung or fabric suspended. Constellations are etched into the faces of the timber.

The space also includes fold-down demonstration desks, floor projection equipment and a mezzanine to enable students to gain additional height to undertake practical physics experiments. Externally, the project has an external, south-facing terrace which includes plants in bespoke growing troughs.

‘Hayhurst & Co understood thebrief from day one. They showed a clear understanding of the project’s requirements and were practical in dealing with budget and site constraints. The end result is a shining example of what can be achieved when architects know what is expected of them, but also bring a bit of magic to the table.’
Paul Greatbatch, Project Manager Camden Council

‘Imagination seems to run riot in this inspired transformation of a disused roof space in a primary school into a learning environment for science”
The Architect’s Journal, Vol 246, 19.09.19

Awards
2020 – New london Awards, Learning – Shortlisted
2020 – Civic Trust Award – Winner
2020 – RIBA MacEwen Award (Architecture for ‘the common good’) – Finalist
2019 – AJ Retrofit Award (Education) Winner
2019 – RIBA R Award – Winner
2019 – RIBA London Small Project Award – Winner

Publications
‘Hayhurst and Co Completes ‘acitivy lab’ for north london school’ – Architects Journal – 2019