Sample of Special Education Project
Whetstone School
Axis Architecture was commissioned to design the renovation work for a church
conversion in Whetstone, London, in collaboration with Edmund Williams Architects.
The brief was creating a school for those who didn’t fit the mould that the education
system had tried to squeeze them into.
The Proposal
The site was an existing church in Whetstone that was not in use anymore, but that
could function as a statement that a special needs school deserves a spectacular
space. One of the challenges Axis had to face was model the building in 3D to create
accurate working drawings on Revit, allowing a full coordination with the other
consultants and analysing each space avoiding clashes and unexpected surprises on
site.
The Challenges
The internal remodelling had to allow for 23 fully compliant classrooms and all the
necessary facilities required for a building with such occupancy. The space had to be
designed for vulnerable children with special needs, so additional requirements had to
be taken into account.
The project included a fair amount of conservation work even though the building was
not listed. One example was preserving and restoring the stained-glass windows,
bringing them back to their full splendour.
The Works
The construction works lasted approx. 1 year on site. The church had its quirks and
complications while on site, including multiple out-of-the-ordinary details; but Axis
delivered a fully functional school meeting all the latest building regulations, while
reinstating Whetstone church to its original splendour.
Completed Project:
Once the works had completed in spring 2022, the client requested additional services
to look into a ground floor extension and landscaping design. Watch this space for
further development of Whetstone church!
