Bedford School Art Gallery Entrance
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Bedford School New Gallery Entrance Exterior
mk40 Architects (website) Download Original
Conversion of a courtyard into an entrance gallery, providing the school with a contemporary, light-filled space in which to display pupil's work.
The Bedford School Art Department required an attractive and usable area to replace an open space between the stairwell of the 1980s extension of the Howard building and rear of the 5s courts.
The original stairwell entrance was infilled and the sidewall removed to provide easier circulation space. Poor underlying ground conditions prevented applying additional loads to the existing foundations, therefore a “picture frame” structure was used to redistribute loads around the new opening. All new structure loads were carried independently on a cantilevering ground floor slab supported by four pad foundations taken to good ground at depth.
Two asymmetrical skylights ensure sufficient light throughout, and the previous entrance door has been converted into a window display for larger pieces of art.
Data
- Begun: Feb 2016
- Completed: Jul 2017
- Floor area: 50m2
- Sectors: Education, Arts and culture
- Total cost: £165,000
- Tender date: Jan 2016
- Procurement: Long-standing Relationship
- Address: Bedford School, De Parys Ave, Bedford, MK40 2TU, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Peter Dann Ltd
- Client: Bedford School / The Harpur Trust
- Lead consultant: mk40 architects
