family learning school

Beckenham Place Park Mansion

We were approached to design and gain Planning and Listed Building Consent for the conversion of part of Beckenham Place Park Mansion for use by the Family Learning School. The FLS is a small independent primary school with a personal approach driven by inspiring teaching and parental involvement.

Grade II* Listed Beckenham Place Park Mansion is a Palladian style mansion initially built for a wealthy Member of Parliament, John Cator around 1773. Described as a good mid-Georgian compact villa, the mansion remained in the family until 1926. It has since had a rich and varied social history, notably as a boy’s school, a sanatorium and as a golf clubhouse since 1934. Each of these uses has affected change to the layout and fabric of the house which now feels run down and institutionalised as a result. The mansion is now in community use with artist’s studios, café and a varied public programme. These temporary functions assist the safeguarding of this important historical asset.

The basement with its original vaulted ceilings and direct access to the vast grounds, has lots of potential for the school, but in its empty and unloved state is vulnerable to low level vandalism and petty theft. Our brief was to provide spaces for free play as well as the flexibility to provide formal teaching when required, with independent children’s WCs and secure access points with a front of house presence. Designs needed to be light touch and respect the historic fabric, therefore we aimed to take advantage of the existing features as much as possible. Temporary or flexible inserts and floor level changes delineate zones and help to provide sensitive service routes.  Their design is deliberately modern and contrasting in style to the historic fabric, so the history of the spaces can be clearly read. Existing historical features were documented, and method statements agreed to make good and preserve them.

The school’s ethos focuses on the social, emotional and spiritual development of children, rather than formal testing and curricular goals. and will thrive amongst the other creative uses in the mansion.