The green light has been given for construction of the first phase of pupil accommodation in the grounds of a Grade II listed independent day school in Hampshire.
BAM Design worked with landscape architects The Landscape Partnership and ecologists PJC Consultancy to secure planning permission from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for project client GEMS Education who run over 70 international private schools in 14 countries.

When complete the scheme will feature a total of 120 double bedrooms 4 pupil common rooms as well as apartments for staff and tutors at Sherfield School near Hook.
 
The proposed buildings will be located in a clearing within a wooded part of the site and have been arranged as two identical L-shaped blocks linked together to  create  a new landscaped courtyard which will be connected to the main school by a series of woodland paths.

“We are delighted to get planning consent on such a challenging site. The team have had to work very hard because the site is of local landscape significance within the grounds of the Grade II listed historic house in the Sherfield-on-Loddon Conservation Area.”  
 

Steve Loughe

BAM Design Director

The scheme uses a combination of natural materials to create a contemporary design which complements the historic listed building.   Modern methods of construction will be used where possible including driven piles, pre-fabricated load-bearing timber frames and pre-fabricated shower pods  to reduce the impact on the existing ecology on the sensitive site and speed up construction.

BAM Design’s recent commissions include Somerstown Hub, now Somerstown Central in Portsmouth, and Nishkam High School in Birmingham.