Walters & Cohen’s new library and sixth form centre at Reigate Grammar School

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Dennis Gilbert/VIEW

Walters & Cohen has completed a new library and sixth form centre at Reigate Grammar School, a co-educational independent school with 900 students in Surrey. Won in competition in 2013, the Harrison Centre has been built with the support of the locally-based Peter Harrison Foundation.

Walters & Cohen first undertook an audit of the school’s existing buildings, which were spread across two sites, developing a masterplan to guide future developments. In the meantime, a small parcel of land between the sites became available, and this seemed the logical site for the new building. The sixth form centre thus provides a link between the school’s two main areas while also serving as the first stage of the broader masterplan, laying the groundwork for future developments. “The Harrison Centre connects one side of the school to the other and creates a generous forecourt of civic space” says Cindy Walters. “When developing the design with our client, we discussed how students like to work and how we could achieve the right balance of formal and informal spaces. The building creates a studious and calm environment for individual study, small group meetings and quiet socialising. We are delighted that so many students choose to study in the library, sometimes even in school holidays.”

The 1,600 square metre red-brick building reflects the materials, massing and pitched-roof typology that characterise the Victorian school’s estate. Within the library light filters down from rooflights along the ridge, while bookshelves frame large windows that look out across the adjacent churchyard. Extensive acoustic treatment means that independent learning and small group work can take place side-by-side. Comfortable furniture as well as traditional workspaces on both floors provide different study options.

The provision of column-free naturally-ventilated spaces was a driving principle of the design, and a hybrid structure of concrete and steel was employed to help achieve this. The use of reinforced concrete slabs and concrete-encased steel beams has resulted in an efficient structure that enables the large spans, while also allowing the thermal mass of the in-situ concrete to be utilised in providing daytime cooling when required. The exposed trusses and sense of openness are extended  throughout the building, connecting the library with the classrooms and offices either side. On the ground floor, the sixth form centre provides space for study, socialising and eating.

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