As part of the Girls Day School Trust, Streatham & Clapham High School align to the ethos of promoting and providing an academic environment to both engage and inspire girls to develop and fulfill their individual character and potential beyond that of the typical school curriculum.
The brief developed for the modernisation and evolution of the library was produced through engagement with both the pupils and staff, while ensuring that the core values outlined by the GDST underpinned all elements implemented within the design.
Details
The feature nook seating installations, inspired by modern day parametric design principles, with their elegant organic forms provide both visual impact and protected useable seating spaces throughout the dedicated library area.
A flexible event space with touch screen technology and provision for presentations by authors, school alumni and guests were a key element of the design. Creating the multi-use opportunity, briefed as part of the modernisation of the library space, provided a flexible area that would allow for future technological development that would work harmoniously with the implemented design.
Incorporation of both individual desk spaces with their own independent light source and a facility for large group and class use within a dedicated space all designed to encourage collaboration, interaction and participation through project activities and research.
Design
The interior of the refurbished library provides a multi-use flexible layout that ensures the space caters for the needs of both the school and a contemporary library environment.
A warm and natural palette of materials and colours intertwined with biophilic touches through a variety of plants, harmoniously marry to promote positive emotional responses in both pupils and staff alike, while retaining a sense of calm and tranquillity that aid in promoting an aura of peace and quiet, essential for maintaining a good library environment.
A specific element of the brief was to ensure that sustainability was at the forefront of the design proposal. Incorporating existing fixtures and fittings and overhauling minor detail elements by further accenting with bespoke design features, all manufactured in timbers specified and sourced accordingly, ensured that this specific item of the brief was delivered.
