Our Projects: Bradfield College, St Andrew’s Church
The grade II listed church has undergone an incredible transformation, with a full refurbishment and conversion into an inspirational study centre.
Synergy started supporting the school with the inception of this project in 2017, with construction starting on site in April 2022. The study centre achieved practical completion in February 2024.
The scheme includes a striking contemporary link building adjoining the south transept, which leads into the main body of the academic hub and also connects to Gray School behind. Formed of glass panels, flawlessly blending old with new, the link building appears invisible from afar. The rose window of the south transept is framed by a large rectangle window so it can be seen when entering the link building, creating flow from one to the other.
Mezzanine floors have been introduced to create additional floor space, allowing a mix of versatile study environments for individual or group work, including quiet zones, collaborative areas, brainstorming pods and seminar spaces.
Approximately 11,000 books adorn bookcases throughout the centre. The colourful spines and modern furnishings surrounding them are the finishing touches that bring the centre to life.
With St Andrew’s Church situated in the very heart of the college and within an operational churchyard, this created a very restricted site for the works to take place alongside other existing buildings.
Refurbishing a listed church also presented many unique challenges and encounters. Careful re-measuring, continuous monitoring and option reviews were all integral to overcoming these challenges.
Many valuable artefacts inside the church were carefully removed, stored off-site and reinstated afterwards. Excavation routes through the churchyard were meticulously planned and required archaeological monitoring and recording.
The existing font was carefully protected during construction, and now stands as a centerpiece within the heart of the church.
Ecological improvements were implemented at site set up to ensure the protection of the natural environment and various species throughout construction.
Sensitive repair of the historic fabric was extremely important and were carried out by specialist craftspeople. These included masonry repairs, re-roofing and restoration works such as on the historic clock tower and weathervane.
Working with architects Squires and Brown.
- Client: Bradfield College
- Sector: EducationHeritagePlaces of Worship
- Services: Cost Consultancy
- Contract: £5.87m
