Ivydale Primary School Library, London

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Status: Completed 2020

Designed in collaboration with Yellow Kite Architects.

Structural Engineer: Sarah Houghton

Contractor: MacFhearadhaigh Ltd

Photography: Fred Haworth

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Ivydale Primary School expanded into a new campus in 2018. This resulted in one of the classrooms in the original listed Victorian building becoming vacant. The Parents Association embarked on a project to convert the room into a dedicated school library - a facility that had been previously lacking.

The design incorporates a new mezzanine and staircase, all designed as a structural timber frame. The balustrading to the stair and mezzanine is formed from solid birch plywood slats, providing a cosy sense of enclosure, as well as being visually open.

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The structure sets up different zones within the room and provides perfect spots to get engrossed in a good book. Bespoke furniture has been designed and made specially for the library, in plywood to match the balustrading.

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All funds for the project have been raised through the generous donations of parents and the tireless work of the PTA.