Pavilion Refurbishment Work to Commence Summer 2011
The School Pavilion has evolved several times from the original Cattle Shed structure adopted as a changing room in the latter part of the 19th Century. The latest proposal for the Pavilion is to create an extension on the southern façade and fully refurbish the internal areas.
mk40 architects have designed a new 40sq m extension at the southern end of the building, creating a new entrance and circulation space. The design and location of the building fulfils several aspects of the brief. It creates a new entrance and focal point for boys and spectators approaching along the car park to the south, equally it enables the internal rationalisation of the space, and finally it creates a new display gallery for the School’s sporting memorabilia.
The design of the new extension is intended to be a respectful addition to the existing building. It borrows its form, style and materiality from the existing building, and as such remains a subservient and complimentary addition. The curve relates to the wing terraces added in 1936, whilst the scale and massing ties in with the proportions of the original building. The extension has been designed to sit symmetrically on the southern façade when approached along the car park, but it is set far enough back so that when viewed from the front will not interrupt the existing symmetry of the wing terraces. For the spectator, the raked seating is being re-furbished, re-covered and new benches installed.
The new extension and stair location has enabled the internal spaces to be re-configured with great benefits. Not only creating a new gallery and viewing point, the stair’s new location has enabled all the public spaces on the first floor to look out over the sports field. At the northern end the Long Room will be extended and a new high level bulkhead will display the Cricket Honours Boards. A new room to house the Rugby Honour Boards has been included, also with views out onto the sports field. A new bar area and plenty of viewing spaces, both inside and out, will make the refurbished pavilion a great place to enjoy sport, and to celebrate the School’s sporting success. On Saturday 2nd July at the “At Home” we are pleased to announce that our Project Manager, James Coley of Ainsley Partners and Stuart Devonshire from mk40 Architects, will be on hand to answer any questions from Old Bedfordians relating to this project.
Save The Date! We are thrilled to announce that the formal opening of the refurbished Pavilion is provisionally planned for the day of the 2012 'At Home' on Saturday 7th July. We hope that you will join us for this important occasion as we mark the opening of this iconic building after it’s refurbishment and celebrate our sportsman throughout the years. Please make a note of the date and look out for further details.
