New Art and Science Block for Sevenoaks Prep School
Sevenoaks Prep School is an Independent Preparatory School situated on the edge the Knole Estate in Sevenoaks, Kent. Known as the Centenary Centre, the project marks the School’s 100th year anniversary and provides a much-needed replacement of mobile classrooms with a new facility for art, science and general teaching. HMY was chosen for the project after winning a mini design competition, competing against four other top practices.
The new building references the pitched roof form of the existing adjacent cottage, with a radiating ‘folded’ roof structure, like a Japanese fan, which unifies the various uses of the single-storey building.
The project was developed in close consultation with Sevenoaks District Council and to suit the School’s sensitive Green Belt setting. The curved plan reflects the requirement of the planning officers to ‘contain’ development to the existing group of buildings, but also this form helps to emphasise the building’s importance within the campus. The plan is arranged around a central library and open plan teaching space which incorporates tiered seating for group learning, assemblies and reading.
