Burntwood School, London

AHMM’s Stirling Prize-nominated transformation of Burntwood school merges a 1950s modernist campus with six new buildings. A range of both in-situ and precast visual concrete finishes are on show throughout the project, but its most striking feature is the sculpted facades of the four new curriculum buildings.
 
The reinforced precast concrete panels are 3m and 4.5m long to align with a typical classroom and structural module of 7.5m, while providing the flexibility for smaller modules. They were cast at Techrete’s facility in Lincolnshire. 

The base panels are acid-etched black concrete with mica fleck, while the upper panels use an off-white cement with dark aggregate fleck, and are also heavily acid-etched. To address considerations of staining and weathering, final detailing of drip edges and a corduroy base was also developed with Techrete.

Roger Nickells, CEO BuroHappold said “It’s such a privilege to once again  be able to contribute to the RIBA Stirling prize award shortlist and winning projects. Both the Whitworth Art Gallery and Burntwood School are exceptional buildings, having particular significance to us because of their role in regenerating the local communities that they serve.  Our working partnerships with architects are highly valued allowing us to respond to some of the most challenging and rewarding issues within the built environment, and deliver some of the UK’s most exceptional buildings.”