The refurbishment and extension of this integral part of the school reflects the changing nature of libraries

Established in 1931, Downlands College is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, day and boarding school currently for Years 4-12. ThomsonAdsett began working with the College and its stakeholders in 2011 to formulate a masterplan in order to create a contemporary P-12 boarding college, incorporating existing historic buildings.

Ongoing, the masterplan continues to result in many significant projects being realised such as a new boarding house, primary and secondary classrooms, a hospitality kitchen, media facilities, science laboratories, external spaces including driveways, accessibility and landscaping, and now an expanded library.

ThomsonAdsett was engaged to provide design, documentation and contract administration services for the full refurbishment and new build extension of the two-storey library and administration building.

Completed on time and within budget, the extension of this building has provided the school with a refurbished library, general learning areas, multiple administration areas and conference rooms, and two accessible bathrooms.

The library space was opened up by creating a solar-efficient glazed wall with views to the adjacent playing fields. The project made the library floor plate far more efficient by removing a central staircase and adding a lift, an external stairwell and numerous ramps.