Superclass, Acland Burghley School
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The Superclass can hold up to 90 pupils at one time, allowing them to follow a project-based curriculum in one space
Refurbishment of an assembly hall into a 'Superclass' for a school in Camden, London
The Superclass is an intermediary BSF project for Acland Burghley Secondary School in Camden, a refurbishment project of an underused assembly hall transformed into an innovatory and experimental teaching/learning laboratory.
The project provides a 490m2 space where different learning methods can be developed and observed in order to inform the school’s requirements for their brief for Phase 2 of Camden’s BSF Programme. The Superclass acts as a large teaching area where up to 90 pupils can follow a project-based curriculum and work in groups of differing sizes as well as coming together for plenary sessions.
SCABAL had to re-invent the existing space without involving unnecessary new-build work. This was perceived as an opportunity to develop an innovative concept that responded to the school’s needs and resources. By rescuing old and disposed in-house furniture, introducing new circular opening and creating a new lighting atmosphere, they have provided a new life cycle to what would otherwise be obsolete.
Data
- Begun: Sep 2009
- Completed: 2010
- Floor area: 490m2
- Sector: Education
- Total cost: £105,000
- Procurement: JCT Minor Works Building Contract with Contractor's Design
- Address: Acland Burghley School, 93 Burghley Road, London, NW5 1UJ, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Studio Cullinan And Buck Architects Ltd (SCABAL)
- Project architect: Hanne Brett
- Client: Acland Burghley School
- Structural engineer: Rodrigues Associates
- Planning Supervisor : Synergy LLP
- Main contractor: HMP Construction
- Selected subcontractors and suppliers: Rectangle Design
- Services engineer: Michael Popper Associates
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