George Watson's College

Project Brief

This project transformed an existing building that previously housed five Religion and Philosophy classrooms; unfortunately, there was also a significant presence of RAAC concrete, which had to be removed. As the classrooms could be relocated elsewhere in the school, the brief shifted away from replacing like-for-like teaching spaces. Instead, the school chose to use the opportunity to create a shared learning hub that could be used more flexibly and enjoyed by a wider range of students.

Purpose

The aim was to move away from a corridor-and-classroom layout and create a space that felt open, collaborative and visible. While two enclosed classrooms were still required, the wider ambition was to design a hub that supported different ways of learning and brought departments together. Improving accessibility was also a key driver, particularly by addressing floor level changes within the space. The design needed to reflect the Watson’s brand and the overall feel of the school, rather than feeling like a standalone project.

Key Outcomes

The finished space is an open-plan learning hub with two classrooms, offering good visibility and encouraging shared use. Floor levels were raised to remove steps into the space, making it more accessible for everyone. A number of structural pillars that could not be moved were carefully built into the partition layout so they didn’t block views or interrupt the flow. The final design feels open, flexible and clearly part of the wider school, supporting collaboration and everyday use.