Douay Martyrs School, Middlesex

The brief / The grant maintained Douay Martyrs Secondary School in Ickenham, Middlesex, was in need of further classrooms and toilets and more inclusive access. The existing single storey gymnasium had proved difficult to maintain and was wholly inadequate for games. Greig & Stephenson was invited in to improve the situation.

The context / The early involvement of Greig & Stephenson allowed us to contribute at the very earliest stages of the expansion plans. In addition to design work for new buildings, Greig & Stephenson was involved in the statutory approvals for planning and building regulations, as well as tying up funding for the work from central government.

What we did / Phasing the project to maximise the use of school holidays and limit disruption to teaching, we created three new areas for the school. The first phase involved the demolition of the old gymnasium and the development of a new wing housing a gymnasium and changing rooms at ground level, and sixteen classrooms in the two storeys above. The new block, which also provides an additional staircase and a lift, is linked through to the main school at 2nd & 3rd floor levels. The second phase, which completed in August 1997, is a standalone pavilion of six classrooms and new toilets. In Autumn 1999, Greig & Stephenson completed a further project for the school - a new Learning Resource Centre.

Impact / A larger school with improved facilities more suited to use. This was delivered on time and to budget.