The School site incorporates Stowe House and it's renowned landscaped gardens which accommodate the largest concentration of Grade I listed buildings in England and reflects the history of landscape design in England with significant contributions from Vanbrugh, Bridgeman, Kent and "Capability" Brown.
Situated west of the House, the building responds to
the shift in geometry of the historic gardens and the context of the surrounding
buildings. This has been achieved by restoring the gardens around the
New Boarding House, reinforcing the surrounding tree belt, and re-creating
the historic Bridgeman Walk Axis, a lime walk that terminated on the site
of the now lost "Temple of Bacchus", presently occupied by the
School's Chapel, designed by Robert Lorimer.
The building is set back from Bridgeman Walk, and curves to allow axial
views to the Chapel's portico and the side bay.
To compliment the historic setting, the building is finished in Bath stone, zinc and render to match the main house. The curved surface of the facade is articulated by a series of projecting windows.
The four/five storey building comprises 1,2 and 4 en-suite study bedrooms and staff dwellings on the upper levels, each room with window seats focusing long views over the grounds. Two flanking glass stair towers define entrances and the building is arranged around a central lift and stair core. The ground level is dedicated to common rooms which are situated at key locations, offering views over the landscape.
The building is split into two phases, with 72 girls accommodated in each. Construction of the first phase began in April 2006 and completed in November 2007, the second phase will finish the subsequent year.
