The converted space will provide a unique learning centre, including a library, seminar rooms, a dedicated presentation space and refreshment area, whilst at the same time retains the architectural features that make St Andrew’s such a special place.
13,000 books
600m
Primary access will be within the College grounds via a new glazed link building with a zinc clad frontage. The main entrance to the link building will be next to Grey Schools, whilst there will also be access via the rear of Grey Schools. Descending a flight of stairs will lead into an opening that will be created in the southern façade. Assisted access will be via an elevator in this part of the building.
When you set foot in St Andrew’s, you arrive at the South Transept, - below which the Stevens family crypt is housed. Ahead of you, you will see the welcome desk, which will be staffed by an Information Professional, ready to help pupils with their research queries at all times. Inspiration for St Andrew’s concept was drawn from a tour of Reading University library and it’s use of both individual and group study areas.
On the left of the welcome desk a ramp and steps lead down to the South Aisle reading room surrounded by the fiction collection, where pupils can read for pleasure. A great potential space for the lower school and Tutor group meetings. Overall, the proposals seek to accommodate up to 13,000 books in bookcases designed to fit around the architectural features and fixed memorials in the Church.
In front of the reading room an elegant spiral staircase with glass balustrade then leads to a new mezzanine that will be equipped in the same way as a classroom, with a presentation screen and writable glass tbc. This mezzanine provides an ideal potential meeting space for both pupil and staff committees, societies, and a place to host seminars for EPQs and Extended Essays.
This central zone, the former nave, will be a collaborative working space furnished with sound insulating seating booths, as well as open tables to enable group learning between pupils.
The ground floor of the north aisle will accommodate a self-service refreshment area and seating for informal study, discussion and a TV screen displaying news events. This is the area where pupils will be able to access the magazines, newspapers, and journals that the College has on subscription.
Accessed through a glass panelled door, we enter the North Aisle Presentation area, a cosy space with tiered timber seating and a smart board for pupils to practice presentations, relax and study. The stair way at the end leads to the other new mezzanine.
The North Aisle mezzanine provides another collaboration space and a cantilevered balcony overlooking the refreshment area below. This area is envisioned to be a space for the Sixth Form study.
The Lower Chancel will be an area for quieter study, the fixed misericords, or choir stalls, will be retained with bespoke tables and additional seating to provide individual study spaces.
The Large tables in the Upper Chancel will provide more space for quiet individual study.
Then we reach the Sanctuary, this well-lit and secluded area will be fitted with a set of silent study booths, perfect for examination and individual preparatory work.
Returning through the collaborative meeting area in the nave takes us to the Tower meeting room,
a cosy room that will house the History collection and will be a bookable space for potential use by tutor groups and as well as pupil project teams.
Finally, we arrive at the font where Katherine, Duchess of Cambridge was baptised, this piece of Bradfield history will remain in situ, along with two memorial benches. Shelves in this area will show case works by Old Bradfieldians and this is the space where archive materials will be displayed.
I hope that you enjoyed this first glance of our proposals, reuniting St Andrew’s and the College offers an exciting and fitting future for a building of great architectural merit, which is intimately tied to our history.
