Media Release: 15 October 2015
Burntwood School Wins Prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize
Burntwood School in Wandsworth, London has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize, 2015.
Burohappold Engineering, collaborating with architects AHMM and contractors Lend Lease,
worked on the complete transformation of the school site with its slightly tired 1950s
buildings, to a robust future-facing school with six visually striking new structures within a
campus-style layout. The new buildings, refurbished older buildings and the landscaping of
the surroundings has reinvigorated Burntwood School and equipped it with the facilities to
deliver a truly holistic education experience for pupils.
Roger Nickells, CEO BuroHappold said; “It’s such a privilege to once again be able to
contribute to the RIBA Stirling prize award shortlist and winning projects. Our working
partnerships with architects are highly valued allowing us to respond to some of the most
challenging and rewarding issues within the built environment, and deliver some of the UK’s
most exceptional buildings.”
One of the stand-out features of the new buildings is the visually arresting faceted precastconcrete façade. This striking frontage has given the campus an entirely modern and
memorable new look.
But the engineering goes well beyond aesthetics. BuroHappold engineered the integral
lightweight framework which enabled such heavy, large precast-concrete panels to be used
for the new buildings.
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Burntwood School Wins Prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize
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“We needed to design buildings that were lean, efficient and on budget” commented Oliver
Blythe, BuroHappold, lead engineer for the project.
“Considering sustainability, we
employed a ‘passive-first’ design approach which reduces the reliance on mechanical heating
and cooling systems, and subsequently energy use.”
A contemporary approach to building design takes into account the thermal mass of the
concrete, the heat generated by 2,200 pupils and teachers, and the prevailing weather
system to name just three factors.
The school, with its new and improved facilities, has become even more integral to the local
community as Helen Dorfman, Principal Burntwood School highlights, “Since the buildings
have been completed we have massively increased community involvement and community
access, which is something we’re really proud of.”
The winner was announced at a gala reception held at the Royal Institute of British Architects
Headquarters on October 15th. Other finalists included Darbishire Place, Maggie’s
Lanarkshire, NEO Bankside, University of Greenwich Stockwell Street Building, and The
Whitworth gallery (also a BuroHappold project).
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact: Lucy Warren-Meeks
Email: lucy.warrenmeeks@burohappold.com Phone: 01225 320600
Further Information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP8ti4XmjOs
Notes for Editors
BuroHappold Engineering is an integrated engineering consultancy that works internationally across a range of
projects and sectors. As a practice we operate in three key areas: infrastructure, buildings and environment, and
have sector based teams. Our core sectors are Commercial, Cultural, Education, Aviation and Sport & Leisure.
BuroHappold has evolved in scope, size and stature since our beginnings in one small office in a townhouse in
Bath. Today, BuroHappold employs over 1,500 staff globally and has over 50 partners in 24 locations worldwide.
We were recently voted the No.1 Building Services engineer and the No.2 Structural engineer in the Building
Design World Architecture 100 rankings 2014.
www.burohappold.com
Burntwood School Wins Prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize
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