Central Foundation Boys’ School, Islington

2025 RIBA London Award 
RIBA London Project Architect of the Year Negar Mihanyar
RIBA London Sustainability Award sponsored by Autodesk

Hawkins\Brown for Central Foundation Boys’ School
Contract value: Confidential
GIA: 13,000m²

Founded in 1865, this comprehensive secondary school moved to its current location four years later. Like many successful urban schools, it was suffering from a lack of investment in its estate. Its range of poor-quality buildings, including two that are Grade II listed, was compromising the delivery of its broad, modern curriculum. Without adequate sports facilities, students were travelling off site, losing valuable time in the school day; and inadequate space was hampering the creative arts provision. In addition, the school had 17 level changes across its seven buildings, and an internal courtyard – its only outdoor space – was apparently so bleak it was described as resembling a prison yard.

The jury couldn’t fail to be impressed with every aspect of this highly complex project by Hawkins\Brown, finally complete after a 10-year endeavour. The headteacher had stated that ‘good design can really impact how you feel, right from the start of your day, so we needed buildings that inspire, stimulate and provide joy’, and this had clearly resonated loudly and been taken seriously. No opportunity for improving the buildings has been overlooked. Entering the school at its new main entrance there is an immediate feeling of elevation and expectation – and joy.

Some buildings have been lightly refurbished and others fundamentally transformed. The project has created a varied and stimulating series of spaces for teaching and learning, brought together with a cohesion that was previously absent. The school now positively glows with a renewed sense of identity and pride. 

The masterstroke intervention was to propose a semi-subterranean sports hall in the courtyard, a beautiful top-lit space, now in use from 8am. The external split level that this results in helps to spatially organise the courtyard. At the level change, amphitheatre-style seating creates a setting for gathering or play. Benches and greenery are situated around the large rooflights, the soft planting improving biodiversity. This transformed space at the heart of the school is dignified, collegiate and vibrant – and it is possible to see why the headteacher likens it to a London square.

The former Tabernacle chapel, where the original timber trusses were obscured by modern ceilings, and windows were boarded over, is now a bright and dynamic space for performance. The creation of this space is allowing the school to deliver on its curriculum ambitions and also establish partnerships with local cultural institutions that would have been unimaginable before. Its previously blank gable end was rebuilt to positively address the courtyard at the junction with the new sports hall, offering a fresh modern elevation.

The team’s skill at resolving many conflicting issues on the highly congested site was considerable. Pragmatic considerations – not least the need to maintain a fully operational school throughout the multiple construction phases – could have translated to a compromise of design ambition. Instead, they provoked greater creativity with both buildings and budget.

The all-important connection between the inspiring headteacher and the architect was tangible, each openly praising the other’s commitment. The project’s success is clear testament to this alignment of ambition and endurance.

See the rest of the 2025 RIBA London winners here. And all our RIBA UK Award winners here.

View the full RIBA UK Awards 2025 process.

 

RIBA Regional Awards 2025 sponsored by Autodesk, EH Smith, Equitone and Velux