ARCHBISHOP BENSON SCHOOL

 
Designed in the late 1970s, this school suffered from a lack of space in its reception area and
for little space for confidential meetings.

CAD Architects’ Mark Dawes designed a community architecture scheme which provided a greatly enlarged reception waiting area, larger head teacher’s office and canopy to protect those waiting outside.

The existing education buildings were dated and finished in a grey granite dashed render. To soften the appearance and texture at the main entrance Mark adopted a vertical cedar boarded finish, with curving walls leading visitors into new electrically operated doors. The new canopy floats on clerestory windows which provide high level light to the reception and office, whilst maintaining privacy.