A Major Redevelopment of a Prestigious Independent School

A new Design and Innovation Centre, along with a new Staff Hub and upgrades to the Grade II listed main building. Environmental design features include an ambient energy loop system efficiently distributing heat across buildings, and passive ventilation supported by a hidden thermal labyrinth.

St Paul’s Girls’ School, a leading independent institution in a historic West London conservation area with a Grade II listed main building, redeveloped its last available site for £15 million. The project transformed the Rosalind Franklin and Mercer buildings into a versatile, technology-rich Centre for Design and Innovation, inspiring future female leaders, while the Forum Building became a dedicated Staff Hub and key areas of the main school were refurbished. The scheme was carefully phased to minimise disruption of the live site, and cuts carbon emissions by 50%, surpassing the GLA’s 35% target.

The building's structure is made of cross laminated timber and glulam forming striking diagonal shapes in the roof, and locking away 150 tonnes of embodied carbon. Its highly insulated and airtight envelope maintains comfortable indoor temperatures year-round while learning spaces are bright and welcoming, with glazing strategically designed to balance natural light and thermal comfort. When conditions allow, fresh air flows naturally through cross-ventilated spaces, replacing mechanical cooling.

A centralised plant on the Science Building roof manages heating and cooling campus-wide, simplifying maintenance and offering room to grow as the school evolves. A hybrid ventilation system with heat recovery ensures healthy, energy-efficient airflow in all spaces. Rooftop solar panels generate clean electricity, while smart controls monitor and optimise performance.

An innovative system uses air source heat pumps to extract outside heat, circulating it through a shared ambient loop connecting the main buildings. If a space needs cooling, the excess heat is redistributed, balancing energy use and reducing reliance on imported energy. Beneath the Staff Hub, a hidden thermal labyrinth passively pre-conditions fresh air using the ground temperature, further cutting energy use.

St Paul’s Girls’ School redevelopment integrates innovative environmental solutions sympathetic to the historic site. It delivers versatile, sustainable spaces that empower the next generation of female leaders.