King's Ely
A series of projects within the setting of a notable historic school
- Location
- East
- Client
- King's Ely
Purcell has worked at King's Ely, a co-educational independent day and boarding school, over a number of years, both on historic buildings and new building projects. Three medieval buildings have been repaired and refurbished to serve as boarding houses
Library
One of the most interesting projects at the school to date was the conversion of a large, derelict chamber over the medieval gateway into the cathedral close as the school’s library. The design incorporates a mezzanine floor into the chamber and integrates a contemporary design into the mediaeval fabric. The work included the insertion of a new structural system to carry the heavy library floor loading, a new environmental control system and fire precaution work, including the insertion of a new escape stair into a corner turret to replace a missing medieval staircase.
Like all educational establishments, the King’s School works to tight budgets and fixed deadlines. The projects were scheduled around the constraints of the academic timetable, with much of the work concentrated in the summer holiday period.
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire
Client: King's Ely
