Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has delivered a new pre-prep and nursery building for Eagle House School in Sandhurst, Berkshire.
The 535 sq. m development for the independent day and boarding school includes a brand-new wing for nursery and reception classes, as well as a complete refurbishment of the original building for Year 1 and Year 2.
The new-build houses seven additional classrooms, a library, breakout teaching spaces, new toilets and a creative space. Darwin Group has also delivered a new access road to the rear of the school and landscaped the areas surrounding the new building.
The original main school building, first rented by Eagle House School in 1886, has red brickwork and large windows. Darwin Group’s skilled in-house design team worked closely with the school to create a concept that blended the traditional and modern elements of both exteriors together.
The eye-catching solution was to use stone cornices and a pitched tiled roof to tastefully mirror the original architecture of the main building. Eagle House School’s new pre-prep library also boasts large floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the interior with natural daylight.
When the school was forced to deliver online education and look after key workers’ children at school during summer 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme of works was accelerated to take advantage of the opportunity to build whilst many fewer children were in school.
Darwin Group utilised its highly controlled construction facility in Shrewsbury and provided an efficient turnkey service that covered all stages of design, planning and construction from start to finish.
The development is the first part of a large renovation being delivered for Eagle House School, with work now underway on an extension, which will house a new music school due for completion in Spring 2021. The space will be used for rehearsals, small performances and pre-prep group activities.
Darwin Group aims to create buildings that minimise environmental impact and is committed to minimising waste and consumption of recourses. As a result, Eagle House School’s new building has achieved a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating, meaning the school could save approximately 15.55% of its CO2 output.
Thomas Morgan, Design Director at Darwin Group, said: “The new development for Eagle House School is a fantastic example of what we do best. Our team of designers specialise in high-quality educational buildings and this is one that we are particularly proud of.
“We have created a space that is both striking to look at while also highly functional for both staff and students. The education sector is at the heart of our business and it has been a pleasure to be able to deliver this project for Eagle House School. We look forward to completing Phase 2 of our works in the spring.”
Malcolm Young, Bursar at Eagle House School, added: “The staff and pupils absolutely love their new premises that are light, airy, spacious, well-appointed and fun to be in. We are thoroughly looking forward to showing prospective parents around in future as the new-build greatly enhances our whole school”
