North London school wins prestigious architecture prize

Children in front. Back row: Margaret Harvey, Nigel Spears Westminster Diocese, Bishop John, Sean Cranitch

Congratulations to St Patrick’s Primary School in Kentish Town, north London, who have won a national architectural prize for their new Library and Music Room. The building has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architect's (RIBA's) 2011 Stephen Lawrence Prize.

The prize, rewards the best examples of projects that have a construction budget of less than £1 million, is intended to encourage fresh talent working with smaller budgets. The RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize is funded by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation, and was set up in memory of the teenager who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect when he was murdered in 1993.

The Newman Room was opened in a special ceremony by Bishop John Arnold, at St Patrick's in July. Designed by Coffey Architects and constructed by Bolt and Heeks, the room overlooks a beautiful garden designed by the pupils themselves. it is being stocked with books provided by the Camden Library Service or purchased by the school and partly chosen by the pupils. The library will double as a music room on one or two days a week for lessons on the recorder, guitar, piano, trumpet and trombone.

On the opening day, Headteacher Sean Cranitch said: “Our children deserve the best. Growing up in central London has its advantages. It is a wonderful place in many ways. But sometimes the children need a quiet space in which to grow in their learning. We aim to provide that here through facilities like the new library.”

To read our earlier story go to : www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18609