Carlton and Rhyl Primary School

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing quality and sustainability throughout construction.

Carlton and Rhyl Primary School

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Work

Carlton and Rhyl School
Camden, London

Client

London Borough of Camden

Carlton Primary School and Rhyl Primary School, both located in the London Borough of Camden, merged in 2021 to form the Rhyl Community Primary School following a decline in birth rates in the borough. The locally listed Victorian premises of the former Carlton Primary School in Kentish Town, required reconfiguration and expansion to accommodate new pupils and the addition of a nursery. CLTH were appointed as Lead Consultant and are currently working on the second phase of works following the completion of the first in December 2021.

During the first phase we undertook works to reorganise and update the classrooms, lunchroom and medical room, improvements were also made to the school grounds. A picket fence and gates were added to secure the perimeter and covered outdoor areas were adjoined to several classrooms for sheltered play and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further bike storage was added around the grounds to promote improved health in the borough.

Currently, a bottle-neck corridor funnels parents and students into the building through the main entrance. Our design for the second phase proposes to open the entrance hall by reconfiguring the layout. The existing offices will be relocated creating a generous double-height reception and seating area. A mezzanine with a circular window will provide additional informal seating for pupils overlooking the entrance. Unused office and storage space will be converted to provide additional local authority educational provisions such as Camden’s Parent Child Psychological Services (PCPS).