- Location Croydon, UK
- Client Russell School Trust
- Status Ongoing
- BREEAM Rating (Sustainability) Excellent
- Sectors: Education
Our design for a new 400-student junior school combines educational excellence with wellbeing and sustainable architecture. Developed for the Royal Russell School, set in a verdant landscape in south London, our approach reflects the idea of a child’s journey through learning and life. The building follows Passivhaus and WELL principles, with environmentally conscious design decisions including extensive use of timber and a mixed-mode ventilation system to support student wellbeing.
“We are incredibly excited about this fantastic project. Jestico + Whiles' design is dynamic and engaging, as well as being sustainable and sympathetic to our woodland surroundings.”
Stats
most significant individual project undertaken by the school in a century.
176
new trees planted- Location Croydon, UK
- Client Russell School Trust
- Status Ongoing
- BREEAM Rating (Sustainability) Excellent
Our design for a new junior school for Royal Russell puts environmental and wellbeing aspirations at the forefront. The new school is designed for 400 pupils, from nursery to year six, and will be the most significant individual project undertaken by the school, established in 1853, in a century. The school will replace life-expired 1960s Laingspan buildings, establishing a new focal point as visitors arrive at the Royal Russell campus.
An important component of the brief was that the design should reflect the key values set by the school, centring on its academic and nurturing approach to educational excellence. We were particularly struck by the idea of a child’s journey through the school as the foundation for the journey through life, and this has informed our design approach. The design for the new junior school provides exemplary teaching spaces where this journey unfolds and where pupils will be able to complete their academic formation.
The design integrates the new school into a learning-based landscape design where each level is connected to dedicated external space, appropriate to the corresponding age group.
The new building will also contribute to Royal Russell’s environmental and wellbeing values, achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating through passive design principles.