vPPR ARCHITECTS
New School Building by vPPR Architects, located beside Grade II Listed White House School by Thomas Cubitt
EDUCATION
‘We cannot recommend vPPR more highly ... The new building has generated a huge buzz for both our current and prospective parents and is a fantastic addition to our school.’ Sarah Sanger Principal, Woodentops Nursery at the White House School
The White House Prep School and Woodentops Nursery
Design Approach
Create a beacon. Put well-being front and centre.
Finalists for Education Architect of the Year Award 2023, vPPR has a proven track record in child-centred design, creating nurturing environments for school children and public space for young people. Our master-planning expertise comes to the fore when adding new buildings to historic sites. Our experience in contemporary housing development informs our approach to boarding-house schemes. vPPR will help you attract new students, exploit limited budgets, create an exemplar of sustainable design and take well-being and safety seriously.
The White House Prep School and Woodentops Nursery
The art of the new.
Strengthens your unique school identity. Instils a questioning approach. Incorporates richness and layers of meaning. Builds community through touchstone works. Drives final design.
Two Hands Preschool
Architects of kindness.
Puts children first. Empathetic and generous design. Collaborative and inclusive. Balances work and life. Champions women in industry. Cares for people and planet.
Higham Hill Park Theatre
Making it sustainable.
Members of Architects Declare and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. Work to LETI targets for operational energy use, water use and embodied carbon. Ambitious BREEAM benchmarks. Fabric retention, up-cycled and recycled materials as a priority. Internally developed sustainability check-lists. Integrated biodiversity in every project.
Camden Highline
Buildability, Profit and Value
Robust, flexible and long-lasting design. Tight cost control and quality assurance secures profit and stability. Modern methods of construction minimise wastage. Tried-and-tested materials and construction methods cut risk. Low maintenance and low running costs.
The White House Prep School and Woodentops Nursery
ALLEYN’S SCHOOL Status Location Size Type
Built (2022) Dulwich, London 134 m² Senior school
Awards
2023 BD Education Architect of the Year
Client Alleyn’s School RIBA 0–6 9 months (Site 1 month)
ALLEYN’S SCHOOL The refurbishment of two art rooms consists of new cupboards, sinks, worktops and display systems at Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, South London.
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Spatial rationalisation of storage increases usable area by 30% Bespoke joinery made from Forest Stewardship Council certified birch plywood New joinery and organisation, allows instant visual stock levels to be taken, saving time and avoiding waste Design customised to incorporate existing sculpture cabinet and drying rack New wall-mounted canvas hanging rails provide an innovative storage system for student work, conveniently removing clutter from the space and providing an opportunity for exhibition throughout the year All metalwork is 100% recycled at end of life Existing floor finish retained and refurbished Off site fabrication allowed for no disturbance to the school’s curriculum Existing school furniture refurbished, rooms equipped with new sinks, optimising use of space
‘The space feels huge after vPPR’s reconfiguration of the rooms. The storage works really well and I love the canvas hanging rail to display all the student’s work.’ Head of Art, Alleyn’s School
WHITE HOUSE SCHOOL Status Location Size Type
Built (2022) Lambeth, London 430m² Early years school
Awards
2023 BD Education Architect of the Year 2023 AJ Award Shortlist 2023 Dezeen Awards Longlist 2023 Brick Awards Shortlist
Client
Woodentops Nursery at The White House Prep School Heritage Adjacent to Grade ll* building RIBA 0–6 2.5 years (Site 14 months)
WHITE HOUSE SCHOOL This new-build, three storey building for Woodentops Nursery sits on a constrained site beside an existing Grade II* Listed school building. It includes a hall, balcony, servery, offices, four classrooms and associated sanitary provisions. The ground floor has a large multi-purpose doubleheight space for play that opens up to a wellness garden at the rear. Classrooms for focussed and quiet learning are positioned on the upper level.
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Meets LETI guidelines: operational energy of 65 kWh/m²/yr & space heating of 15 kWh/m²/yr Off-site precision manufactured steel system for fast build and minimum waste Low u-values and air permeability rates Robust external and internal material palette minimising longterm maintenance Natural interior finishes with oak details High performance Air Source Heat Pump Windows designed to benefit from passive solar gain and reduce space heating demand. Triple glazing with an optimal ‘g’ value specified to prevent heat loss/gain, in conjunction with the use of openable windows External solar shading to the south & west elevations to prevent overheating in summer Natural cross ventilation utilised throughout PV cells on the roof, generating electricity 100% low energy lighting and low water use fittings Rear garden designed to improve biodiversity and engage users in biodiversity conservation, by incorporating hedgehog fences, a wormery, bird boxes, bug hotels and British wildflower planting
‘Throughout the design, planning process, tender and construction they have been trusted partners guiding us along, helping us stay focused on achieving not just a great new building but one that will come in on budget and on time—two hugely important factors—especially when the new classrooms have to be ready for children on a certain date!’ Sarah Sanger, Principal Woodentops Nursery at the White House School
TWO HANDS PRESCHOOL Status Location Size Type
Built (2022) Hammersmith, London 500m² Preschool
Awards
2023 BD Education Architect of the Year
Client Two Hands Preschool RIBA 0–6 8 months (Site 3 months)
‘We’ve been delighted with vPPR’s work on our brand new preschool, both in terms of the process and the outcome. The compliments are flying in from prospective parents and staff, but most importantly, we’ve already seen how well the space serves the children and meets their needs.’ Joanna Shall Director, Two Hands Preschool
TWO HANDS PRESCHOOL A colourful nursery in Shepherd’s Bush, London that combines stimulating educational environments with environmentally conscious design. The new spaces at the Two Hands Preschool are a mixture of robust materials for everyday use and warm interiors that reflect the comforts of home. A series of architectural elements encourage exploration and play without creating overly controlled, prescriptive experiences.
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Robust, low-carbon impact materials specified Low Volatile Organic Compound Valchromat joinery. Wood fibres colour throughout the material and are therefore less affected by the bumps and scrapes of everyday use Cork flooring (made from recycled bottle stoppers) was used for its remarkable carbon balance at -101 kg CO₂-eq./m² while also offering noise reduction through sound absorption Courtyard is made of locally-sourced and shredded tyres to provide a bouncy surface that is water permeable and can be reused at the end of its time at the nursery Operational carbon of the building is reduced by air source heat pumps, natural ventilation and specially designed lighting that avoids excessive electrical usage
HIGHAM HILL PARK THEATRE The winning proposal for Higham Hill park was part of London Borough of Waltham Forest‘s Making Places initiative, to transform under-used public spaces, which will have a lasting impact on communities and neighbourhoods.
‘I love to come here everyday with my kids after school. It's become a gathering point for me and my friends ... It was also really fun when my son's nursery used the stage for their summer performance.’ Local Resident
PLAY WITH(OUT) GROUND Initially designed for the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale as part of the Garden of Privatised Delights at the British Pavilion, vPPR’s interactive installation and soundscape ‘Play with(out) Grounds’ focuses on public space for young people.
‘vPPR’s Play With(out) Grounds addresses the lack of outdoor facilities for teenagers (“too young for pub, and too old for playground”) and advocates for their needs to be articulated, heard and addressed.’ Pamela Buxton, The riba Journal
LONDON (HEAD OFFICE)
LIVERPOOL
HAMBURG
22 Prince of Wales Road,
44 Canal Street
vPPR Architektur GmbH
London NW5 3LG
Liverpool L20 8QU
Große Elbstraße 279 22767 Hamburg
+44 207 729 6168
www.vppr.co.uk
+49 40 60574868
FRESH THINKERS. FAIR PRACTICE. FEMALE LEADERSHIP. vPPR is a women-led architecture practice built on original and equitable design. From our studios in London, Liverpool and Hamburg we design for cultural, residential, office, public realm and education clients. vPPR was set up in 2009 by Tatiana von Preussen, Catherine Pease and Jessica Reynolds.
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AWARDS 2023 RIBA London Awards Three shortlisted (Camden Market Canopy; Wembley Olympic Way and steps; White House School) 2023 NLA Awards, WINNER (Camden Market Canopy) 2023 Brick Awards, EDUCATION CATEGORY WINNER (White House School) 2023 ASLA New York, MERIT (Camden Highline) 2023 BD Education Architect of the Year, Finalist (White House School, Two Hands Nursery, Alleyn’s) 2023 RIBA London Award, Shortlisted (White House School) 2023 AJ Awards, Shortlisted (Idlewild Mews, White House School) 2023 Inside Housing Awards, Shortlisted (Idlewild Mews) 2023 Dezeen Awards, Longlisted (Camden Market Canopy, Idlewild Mews, White House School) 2023 Architecture Today Schüco Excellence Awards, Shortlisted (Camden Market Canopy) 2022 Civic Trust Regional Finalist (Wembley Olympic Way & Steps) 2021 Pineapple Awards for Public Space Shortlist (Higham Hill Theatre) 2021 Venice Biennale 2020 AJ 40 UNDER 40 2020 DOMUS 50 Best Architecture Firms 2018 NLA Housing Awards WINNER (Croydon housing) 2017 RIBA Award WINNER (Redchurch Street) 2015 RIBA London Emerging Practice WINNER 2015 RIBA Award WINNER (Vaulted House) 2015 RIBA House of the Year Award (Vaulted House), Finalist 2015 AJ Emerging Woman Architect of the Year Award WINNER 2014 RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize, Finalist (Ott’s Yard) 2014 RIBA Award WINNER (Ott’s Yard) 2014 Ideal Home of the Year WINNER (Housebuilder/ Developer) 2014 Housing Architect of the Year, Blue Ribbon Award WINNER 2013 Young Architect of the Year Award (YAYA), Finalist
TATIANA von PREUSSEN Director tanya@vppr.co.uk
www.vppr.co.uk
CATHERINE PEASE Director catherine@vppr.co.uk
JESSICA REYNOLDS Director jessica@vppr.co.uk
Image Credits: Will Scott, Lewis Ronald, Antalya von Preussen