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Wycombe Abbey School

Wycombe Abbey School

  • Status
  • Completed 2017
  • Client
  • Wycombe Abbey School
  • Value
  • Confidential
  • Procurement Method
  • Two Stage Traditional
  • Services
  • Architect and Lead Consultant from Concept to Completion
  • Scale
  • 3,300m²

Awards

  • LABC Building Excellence Awards 2018, Central Region - Best Educational Building – Winner

Wycombe Abbey is an independent girls’ boarding school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is academically one of the top schools in the United Kingdom, and the top girls’ boarding school. David Morley Architects designed a pair of new boarding houses, located on the redundant swimming pool site at the edge of the Langley Valley.

  • Status
  • Completed 2017
  • Client
  • Wycombe Abbey School
  • Value
  • Confidential
  • Procurement Method
  • Two Stage Traditional
  • Services
  • Architect and Lead Consultant from Concept to Completion
  • Scale
  • 3,300m²

Awards

  • LABC Building Excellence Awards 2018, Central Region - Best Educational Building – Winner

The school enjoys a magnificent site that forms the major part of a nationally significant Grade II landscape. The site also forms the setting for a backdrop of rich historical architecture including the Grade II* listed Abbey and Caroe designed boarding houses and Chapel. The challenge for the new accommodation was to create a new, innovative and forward thinking environment within a functional but sensitive design that did not diminish or erode the historic context, or threaten the wonderful tranquillity enjoyed within the site.

Bedroom view

“David Morley Architects have been a pleasure to work with. We are delighted with our new boarding houses, the quality of design has exceeded our expectations and the entire School community is looking forward to seeing the building in operation once the girls move in next term.”

The project has provided boarding accommodation for 108 girls, two Housemistress houses, two Housemistress Assistant flats and two Matron flats. In addition the building includes recreational spaces such as a large living room, kitchen and social rooms for each house along with study spaces for every girl including day boarding girls and shared music practice rooms. Pastoral and study support spaces are also provided for each house. The building acheived its targeted BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

House facade detail

Staircase detail

Communal area

Exterior view

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