GRAHAM Construction has completed the first phase of the London Borough of Camden’s Liddell Road project in West Hampstead – a BREEAM Excellent rated primary school expansion that will set a benchmark for future development in the area.
The new Kingsgate Primary School Building is located on Liddell Road, now known as Liddell Place, part of a mixed-use development comprising residential, commercial and school uses with high-quality public realm. Led by the Council, the development forms part of Camden’s Community Investment Programme (CIP), which focuses on improving and building new schools, community facilities and affordable new homes.
Designed by Maccreanor Lavington Architects, the two-storey school is an important contribution to the CIP programme and supports investment in high-quality school buildings through the creation of up to 420 new school places and expansion of the existing Kingsgate Primary School.
Using the BREEAM framework, and achieving the rating of Excellent, GRAHAM Construction committed to using construction materials with a low environmental impact, including cross-laminated timber, a renewable material that was used for the major structural element of the building. This use of timber also helped reduce construction waste on-site and minimised environmental impact during production.
Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life at Camden Council, said: “Kingsgate is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and it now has a beautiful building to match the excellent teaching and support its staff provide. We’ve delivered this new school through our Community Investment Programme, providing much-needed school places for our families. The smiles on the children’s faces during my visit say it all.”
GRAHAM Construction’s London office director, Rob Joyce added: “The completion of Kingsgate Primary School has led to an improved learning and working environment for students and teachers alike, which is testament to the hard work of everyone who worked on it. Together, we have successfully delivered a high-quality learning environment that better meets the needs of its users, while setting a precedent for future, local development.”
Associate Director with Maccreanor Lavington, Maria Joao Reis commented: “The school is designed to sit harmoniously with the other new buildings on the wider masterplan site, whilst offering a distinct and legible quality as a civic building. The success lies in a true collaboration between client, contractor, design team, school users and local community in embracing this exciting opportunity and creating an exemplar teaching and learning environment which has the highest green credentials.”
The new school, which has been shortlisted for a RIBA London Award, has now been reopened to students.