St. Anne’s School – Library Infill Extension

Key Facts:

St. Anne’s is a voluntary-aided 1.5 form entry Catholic school in Whitechapel in the borough of Tower Hamlets, East London. The school is inextricably linked to the Parish of St. Anne’s with the church located adjacently. The school in its current guise has been in existence since 1973, having been formed following the merger of three local schools. The school is popular locally, and is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

To aid their continued growth, and make better use of an under-utilised central courtyard, the school commissioned Munday + Cramer to develop designs to bring the space in to use as an integral part of the school, creating a new library and learning resources area by way of an Infill Extension.

To ensure that this infill was well-lit by natural light, numerous skylights were installed, successfully creating a light and airy space. The roof was constructed to minimise the supports required, providing a flexible space for future use. The library also features two large bi-fold doors in to the main hall, again adding to the open feel of the construction.

Due to the location of the library at the centre of the school, works had to be carefully phased in order to ensure minimal disruption. Works were started over the Easter break to ensure that noisy groundworks were completed without disturbing students. Examination periods also had to be incorporated in to the programme, providing additional challenges in the summer term.

Despite the challenging site conditions, the programme was achieved, providing the school with valuable new facility for the new school year.

“This library infill has completely transformed an under-utilised courtyard, providing a valuable resource for the school without losing valuable outdoor space which is at a premium in such an urban environment.”

Barry Lawrence, Senior Surveyor M+C