New Boarding Houses, Abingdon School
- Status
- Completed 2024
- Client
- Abingdon School
- Value
- £12m (construction value)
- Procurement Method
- Traditional
- Services
- Lead Consultant and Architect RIBA Stages 1-7
- Scale
- 2074m2 + 1824m2
The scheme developed by David Morley Architects (DMA) and Abingdon School has upgraded two of the school’s existing boarding houses by remodelling parts of the building and erecting a large boarding house development adjacent to each of the houses. The scheme provides an additional 31 bedrooms for Austin House, and 40 bedrooms for Crescent House.
- Status
- Completed 2024
- Client
- Abingdon School
- Value
- £12m (construction value)
- Procurement Method
- Traditional
- Services
- Lead Consultant and Architect RIBA Stages 1-7
- Scale
- 2074m2 + 1824m2
The project commenced with a review by DMA of potential sites for the expansion and upgrade of the school’s boarding houses. Three sites were identified as extensions to existing boarding houses rather than complete new builds. All sites were on the boundaries of the school campus and set within or adjacent to conservation areas, therefore their scale, massing and materiality was very sensitive. DMA developed the design for two of the sites; Crescent House and Grade II listed Austin House.
The project has significantly enhanced the quality of boarding accommodation while also improving staff accommodation and providing better facilities for the day boys. By combining the existing boarding houses with new buildings there has been the opportunity to bring all the boarders closer together and to introduce new, modern facilities that meet the expectations of contemporary boarders while maintaining the charm and character of the existing buildings.
Exterior view of Austin House
Interior communal area
“Austin House and Crescent House are seeing major new additions which will significantly improve the Abingdon experience for boarders, day-students and staff.”
The scheme’s material palette is inspired directly by the adjacent and surrounding buildings, and more generally by Arts and Crafts architecture.
David Morley Architects has worked closely with the school on a number of projects since 2016 including the Beech Court Sixth Form Centre, Faringdon Lodge, and more recently the Beech Court Pavilion. The new boarding houses enhance the environment locally within the school grounds and complement the architecture of the existing buildings.
Exterior view of Crescent House - all photography by Richard Fraser Photography
