Chetwoods Architects has refurbished the Grade-II listed Kilbracken House at Rugby School to provide sustainable new dorms and a modern boarding experience for its students.

Photos
David Churchill

Chetwoods’ retrofit of a 1940s purpose-built boarding house has been completed amidst the school’s ongoing programme to raise boarding standards in line with new requirements. Kilbracken House required an extensive retrofit, reconstruction and expansion. Set within Rugby School’s conservation area presented its own challenges, which were managed alongside the house’s historical value. A tactful approach by Chetwoods’ saw heritage balanced with sustainability, with an internal scheme that offers a modern, domestic boarding experience. 

Standing-seam zinc roofing was used to match previously successful Rugby School estate projects.

A key aspect of the redevelopment has been the addition of a two and a half storey extension which is flanked by external landscaping to further integrate the building to its conservation surroundings. This provided space to move the majority of the 56 ensuite bedrooms to the upper storeys, leaving the ground floor almost entirely devoted to communal areas. Creating coherent and welcoming shared spaces that can be flexibly used, enables boarders to socialise and study when needed. 

Ground-floor plan. 

Materials were selected to complement the project's historic setting, including terracotta hanging tiles in a geometric pattern which incorporates fishtail and bullnose formats. High-performance insulation has been used and low U-value windows chosen along with upgraded heating and lighting systems integrated to improve and lower operational energy use. 

Kilbracken House prior to Chetwoods full refurbishment and external landscaping.

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