LST Projects has successfully delivered a new boys’ boarding house at Rikkyo School in Rudgwick, providing modern residential accommodation and increased capacity for the school.
Completed in time for the new academic year, the new facility provides 56 beds together with two house master flats, creating high-quality accommodation designed to support both student life and the day-to-day operation of the school.
Creating a modern residential environment
The new boarding house incorporates bedrooms, shower and bathroom facilities, communal areas, dedicated study spaces, staff accommodation, plant rooms and circulation areas.
The finished building provides students with a comfortable and practical environment in which to live, study and socialise, with the internal spaces designed around the requirements of a modern boarding school.
As shown in the completed project photography, the development combines spacious communal areas with contemporary bedrooms and study facilities, creating a welcoming residential setting for students.
Delivering the building
The building was constructed using a structural steel frame, steel framing system and precast upper floors, with the external elevations finished in a combination of brickwork and timber-effect cladding.
A comprehensive package of mechanical, electrical and public health services was installed throughout the building, including:
- Heating and ventilation
- Domestic water services and drainage
- Power and lighting
- Fire alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
The project also included significant external works, incorporating hard landscaping, new below-ground drainage, stormwater attenuation ponds and new access routes serving the completed building.
Working within a live school environment
Working alongside Stephen Langer Architects, Waterfox Consultancy Ltd, Paul Molineux Associates and Holloway Squire Partnership Ltd, we delivered a major new-build project within an operational school required careful planning and coordination throughout the construction programme.
Our project team worked closely with Rikkyo School and the wider consultant team to manage the works safely while maintaining the programme and minimising disruption to the school community.
A key requirement was ensuring that the new boarding accommodation was ready for the start of the academic year. This required close collaboration between all parties, particularly as important programme deadlines approached.
A collaborative approach
Following completion, Rob Preddy, Director of Operations at Rikkyo School, commented:
“LST worked tirelessly to make the design work, supporting us throughout the process. They were very helpful, understanding and collaborative, and when key deadlines arose, they worked tirelessly to deliver. The school was very grateful for all they’ve done for us and we would definitely work with them again.”
The completed boarding house is an excellent addition to the Rikkyo School campus and demonstrates our experience of delivering complex construction projects within live educational environments, where programme certainty, collaboration and consideration for the end user are essential.