Project Story
American School is located in the heart of St Johns Wood, London.
The new Community Arts Building was designed by Walters & Cohen through an open competition. The Art Building includes large expanses of curtain walling with bespoke bronze feature fins belted to the framework.
On one elevation the bespoke façade passes through a glass canopy, stretching into a lower courtyard. The courtyard canopy uniquely allows water to drain freely into hidden gutters located within the panel.
The route allows the water to cascade from the high pitch glass canopy onto lower glass panels, creating a complex yet simple design solution. The canopy allows the use of the outdoors, whilst giving weather protection to the area.
The scheme also included the development of a new swimming pool and sports centre facility designed by ORMS. This included a new feature facade running along the south entrance, lightwells and internal glass screens.
Project Summary
- Location: St Johns Wood, London
- Client: American School
- Architect: Orms & Walters & Cohen
- Main Contractor: ISG
- Status: Completed
- Sectors: Iconic Structures
- Exterior/Interior: Exterior/Interior
- Expertise: Roofs, Canopies, Façades, Fire Glazing
- Project Value: C. £2.3M
Bespoke aluminium fins
Lightwells
Project Story Continued
The new lightwell, formed within the playground area, allows natural light to feed back into the surrounding pool area. The design of these also had to ensure that they met with the structural loadings that would be imposed on them, given their location within the playground.