The Rosalind Franklin Wing bridges historic form with timber design at St Paul’s Girls’ School in London. It is designed by Jestico + Whiles, the new extension pairs a sensitive Edwardian retrofit with a bold, mass-timber addition. Its exterior nods to campus heritage through red brick, Portland stone, and zinc roofing, while interiors introduce glazed walkways and a double-height, skylit central space that encourages movement and community.
The Rosalind Franklin Wing supports project-based learning with immersive studios, flexible classrooms, and maker labs—each framed by exposed glulam timber and visible services to model sustainable construction. As the first phase in a wider masterplan, the project enhances accessibility, reduces embodied carbon, and celebrates legacy through future-ready architecture, merging educational purpose with contextual elegance.
Image Credit: Killian O'Sullivan
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Sustainable Educational Architecture
- The use of mass-timber and sustainable construction techniques in educational buildings promotes eco-friendly design and reduced embodied carbon.
- Heritage-inspired Modernization
- Integrating modern elements with historic architectural forms creates dynamic spaces that respect cultural heritage while catering to contemporary needs.
- Flexible Learning Environments
- Adaptable classroom designs enable project-based learning and collaboration, fostering more effective educational experiences.
Sectors Adopting This
- Timber Construction
- Mass-timber construction is gaining momentum as a sustainable and efficient building solution within the architectural industry.
- Educational Facility Design
- Innovative school design focuses on creating immersive and flexible environments that enhance learning and community interaction.
- Historical Preservation in Architecture
- Merging modern building techniques with historic preservation offers a unique niche for architects in balancing tradition and innovation.
