Under the gaze of Edward Alleyn, founder of Dulwich College, contracts were signed between this leading independent boys’ school and McLaren.
Construction will start in January on phase one of a state-of-the-art Science building – The Laboratory. At a cost of over £21m this new landmark will house 18 laboratories and the James Caird Exhibition Hall, showcasing Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lifeboat. Following the completion of phase one in summer 2015 phase two will begin, adding a further three laboratories, five IT suites and The Auditorium, a public space for both the College and the wider community.
This outstanding new building, designed by architects Grimshaw, will represent a synthesis of Science and Art and is a measure of the commitment of the Governors of Dulwich College to the holistic education of its pupils, many of whom go on to have distinguished careers across a spectrum of fields. Dr Joseph Spence, the Master of Dulwich College, notes ‘The old divide between Science and the Arts is not sustainable. Science is culture.’
Under the leadership of Dr Spence, The Laboratory is the first major project of a ten year development plan, which will see a transformed campus by 2019, the 400th Anniversary of the College’s foundation. Mr Phil Pringle, McLaren, Managing Director, said ‘We are delighted to be part of Dulwich College’s ambitious plans to provide its pupils and the Dulwich community with a teaching and learning environment they deserve.’
Science has always played a central role at Dulwich College – from its first laboratories built on Dulwich Common in 1870, to the Science Building of 1908, designed by Charles Edward Barry and destroyed by enemy action in 1944, to the Science Block of 1952, designed by former pupil Austin Vernon.
Within the next two years the continuous inverted ‘S’ shape of the The Laboratory will be firmly on the map helping inspire the next century of Alleynians.
