Longford School Library Extension

At a glance

Project by: Jonathan Clark Architects
Location: London, United Kingdom

Preview image

Longford School Library Extension (Jonathan Clark Architects)

© Jonathan Clark Architects

Project images

	External view of new library extension. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Front view of new library extension, showing metal grille shades and timber fins. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	External night view of the new Library extension. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Detail of the structural timber fins and shades. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Side view of the structure. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	External view of the extension. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Detail view of front elevation. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Detail of fins, windows and metal shades. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Internal view of the library with custom made tables and benches. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Internal view of seating cubes within the library, behind the blue wall is a small lecture hall for teaching. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image
	Seating steps clad in carpet within the lecture hall. © Jonathan Clark Architects View project image

Architect's statement

This is a two storey extension and partial conversion of an existing two-storey 1960s constructed building at Longford Community School. A total area of 750sq.m (a 200 sq.m extension and 550sq.m conversion of existing) houses two new classrooms and a Fitness Centre at ground level with a new Library/learning Centre at first floor. ??

The challenge here was how to successfully extend a nasty looking teaching block. We chose to build a vibrant colourful structure that straddles the end of the block almost as a kind of articulated bookend. ??

The two storey extension element uses bespoke designed colour-stained Finnish softwood laminated ‘fins’ that support both the first floor structure and the roof. Unusually for this material, the structure is completely external and exposed to the elements and after much research was pressure impregnated in order that it could perform to these conditions.

In between each fin are aluminium grating panels that provide solar control as well as structural stiffening to the external structure. Behind the structure is a two storey panel of glazed curtain walling. The roof is clad with silver ‘Trespa’ panels and is designed to give the impression of floating/sliding across the exposed roof beams.

Internally, the library has been designed as an adaptable open plan area that can be used for different ways of teaching – there is raised area of carpet clad cubed modules for seating, bespoke designed tables and benches and an enclosed curved ‘arena’ space.

Program: New library and sports centre block
Location: Longford Community School, Feltham, London, UK
Design team: Jonathan Clark, Benjamin Strutz, Anton Risan
Type: School building
Client: Longford Community School
Contractor/s: Horgan Brothers
Site Area: 24,000m2
Built-up Area: 750m2
Construction cost: £1.1M
Completion: 2009