Since the official opening of the building in March 2020 and the first ever lessons taking place on March 10th the students and staff have been exploring their new home. The professional photos provide a glimpse inside the various new teaching rooms and flexible spaces on the ground floor, the new lecture space that will house the National Theatre Live screenings plus the large textiles class room with sound-proof concertina wall that will enable the space to be broken up into two teaching spaces. In the atrium there are break-out social spaces and cafe-style seating for the Sixth Formers as well as space for temporary art exhibitions.
The photos show the wonderful geometric shapes made by the light wells from the first floor and the rooflights that flood the art rooms with natural light and the cantilevered western corner of the building looks impressive. Externally the stainless-steel cladding gives the exterior a lustre to match the design within and the perforated organic pattern allows the building to blend into its stunning surroundings and reflect the extensive trees and greenery.
The Head commented
“The function of the Ada Benson Building is to celebrate, inspire and empower girls, as the School has been doing since 1875. Already, I can see many compelling ways in which the building’s form follows that function, and enhances it. The very choice of name reflects the intention that our newest site of learning be consciously connected to the values on which OHS was founded, through the eponymous Headmistress, who was a pioneer for girls’ education in her own right.”
Read the case study here.
Photos by Paul McMullin architectural, aerial & project photographer.
