#Throwbackthursday - 1996 - Godstowe Preparatory School
Established in 1900, Godstowe is a thriving day and boarding preparatory school for girls aged 7 to 13, and a flourishing Pre-Prep and Nursery for girls and boys aged 3 to 7. The estate occupies 12 acres on the outskirts of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire
In 1996, working on behalf of Godstowe School and in collaboration with Aldington Craig & Collinge, J N Lane Associates and Whitbybird (Ramboll), MCS was appointed to construct a new music school and 30-bed boarding house in the practice’s Modernist philosophy of calm simplicity, careful detailing, and use of materials in their most basic form.
Planning permission was gained in 1993 with seven contractors tendering for the JCT 80 with Quantities contract. Works commenced in August 1994 with the demolition of the existing music school and major substructure work on the very tight, highly restricted, live school site to make way for the new buildings. All works were completed in April 1996.
The school head, Frances Henson, said: “The aim of the project was to build a new music school to provide excellent facilities for every child to develop general musical knowledge as well as encourage specialist talents. The building provides recital, teaching, ensemble and practice rooms.”
“Our aim for the boarding house was not to increase overall boarding numbers, but to improve the quality of our boarding environment. It is our belief that a good quality and pleasant environment is not only desirable, but essential.”
About Godstowe Preparatory School: www.godstowe.org
About Peter John Aldington, OBE. Dip Arch. RIBA. MCSD: www.turnend.org.uk/peter-aldrington
About: Aldington, Craig and Collinge: www.amazon.co.uk/Aldington-Collinge-Twentieth-Century-Architects/dp/1859463029
