Prep Development Secures Top Architecture Award

Brentwood Preparatory School has won a coveted 2022 RIBA East Award which celebrates great architecture across the UK. The multi-million pound project, which was three years in the making, cements a 15 year relationship between Brentwood School and award-winning architects, Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture. 

The impressive development includes a brand new assembly and dining hall, a three storey classroom block and reception area, and three interconnecting Foundation (Nursery) rooms, which overlook a bespoke and innovative play space.

Over the past decade and a-half, Brentwood School and Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture have partnered on a number of projects including the creation of a new Senior School reception, a Sixth Form Centre (RIBA Award 2012) and the Bean Academic learning resource centre.

This latest award-winning build represented a shift in focus to the Preparatory School and involved a landscape of existing structures and spaces, (including the listed Middleton Hall) and adding two significant new buildings to the mix in support of the school’s expansion.

In their citation, the Royal Institute of British Architects, which is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture, said: “The materials palette references other buildings on and around the site and each building is beautifully crafted with bold and playful colours and motifs. The project has paid significant attention to delivering solar responsive design principles, with strategies implemented to minimise summertime thermal gains.”

Prep Headmaster, Jason Whiskerd, said: “Both buildings are not only wonderful to look at but also provide us with the kind of learning spaces that most schools can only dream of. It was a pleasure to work with Cottrell and Vermeulen, and their attention to detail and clear knowledge of our educational vision were apparent throughout the build process.”