The Opportunity

Through the use of steel we helped to completely rebuild one of the largest schools in the capital and the biggest in the London Borough of Lewisham.

Sedgehill School is one of only a few London schools with a Performing Arts Specialist School Tag and this is reflected in its new drama and dance facilities, which include four studios and an external performance space.

The outdoor area is central to the school's design as the new buildings are arranged around it. These buildings consist of one large steel-framed crescent shaped structure, which houses the main entrance, drama and dance studios, offices, sports hall and classrooms. Opposite these are four smaller dedicated classroom blocks.

The Operation

Architectural features were of high importance. There were no cores for stability within the structure so bracing had to be placed in a number of locations, most of which were on view. An interesting visual element of the new drama studio is the bracing along one wall; this has been installed as a 21m wide storey high truss, which was delivered to site in two fully welded pieces.

As the drama studio required large open column free space, the roof is formed with a series of 23.8m long cellular beams - these were brought to site in two pieces and spliced together before erected. The beams also have a crank in them to accommodate the building's roof ridge.

The school's main entrance is another large open structure-high area. There are no internal columns, except for perimeter members arranged along the front and back external elevations. These steel columns are again architectural features.

All construction had to be undertaken whilst most of the existing buildings were still in use.

The Result

The choice of colours, bright light spaces and campus design all assist in creating this quite spectacular building, which reflects the creativity and innovative type of teaching and learning that the school wants to continue to develop and enhance.

Download full article on Sedgehill School, New Steel Construction May 09