St Margaret’s Preparatory School is an independent primary school founded in 1946. The main building is a converted, red brick coach house and stable block dating from the 18th century. This Grade II Listed property was once part of the estate of Gosfield Hall, a former Georgian mansion set in 10 acres of manicured grounds and parkland.

We were asked to design a single, flexible space that could ultimately be divided for children at various stages throughout their nursery years. For this we pursued a gullwing roof design that maximises light and height, while affording an open plan without supporting columns. This new building is nestled as an infill just to the north side of the former stable block. The exterior envelope has been done in a matching red brick with zinc roof – all purposefully blending in with the existing building.

As the building faces north it was important for us to maximise the height of the windows and doors – optimising light and creating a strong connection to the outside. For this we also introduced a skylight, which maximises the amount of light. The main room is connected to play areas on two sides with large doors held open on warmer days. Internally we kept the space open and simple, adding bespoke shelving for the childrens’ coats and bags, as well as a place for them to sit and take their shoes off.