Overview

Description: In 2014 APS were commissioned to design a new library building for the Peterhouse group of Schools (Peterhouse Boys School) in Marondera, Zimbabwe. Unusually this building was to be funded by anonymous donation, and to be built in the name of Alan Megahey, a former Rector renown for his considerable ability and contributions to the School.

Challenge: In consultation with the Rector, Howard Blackett, our challenge was to find a suitable site near the existing library / school hall, and to flesh out a brief that extended the existing capacity of the current school library, but which also seamlessly incorporated additional modern day technology requirements.

Solution: We conducted research in consultation with IT specialists Frampol (Neil Padmore) and Occupational Psychologist Realise Africa (Felicity Van De Ruit) as well as various consultative meetings with the staff and students, in order to better understand the users wants and needs as well as come to terms with new ideas relating to teaching Pedagogy and advances in mobile hardware and software. The end result is a building which is a synthesis between Library and IT Centre, and allows for multiple forms of interactions in an informal and stimulating way. There is a variety of and teaching and learning spaces for large and small groups, as well as more focused areas for concentrated study and research. The building mediates between the heritage of the school and its projected future, by combining stone, steel and glass construction in an exciting yet respectful way.

Hard interiors and colour selection was undertaken by APS, whilst furniture selection was skillfuly handled by Michelle Wilkins, of MAIA design, ensuring that the soft interiors and final finishes, resonated with the architectural vision.