Tormead School – Sixth Form Centre

Tormead is a leading independent day school in Guildford, dedicated to delivering unique and innovative education to a range of school years. The school was founded in 1905 with the intention of bringing first-class education to local girls, who were often discouraged from taking part in the schooling system. Due to its history, breaking the mould and paving new ground is crucial to Tormead’s DNA.

Throughout this transformative process, the stakeholders emphasised incorporating the students’ voices, who were proactive and articulate in expressing their preferences. Design workshops were integral to this collaborative effort, ensuring that the students’ insights played a central role in shaping the new space and fostering an environment tailored to their needs.

Envoplan, commissioned for the design and build, faced numerous challenges. The existing space lacked flexibility, natural light, and accessibility; improving each element was pivotal in the designs. To achieve the vision within the designs, the construction team opened the existing walls and introduced glazed elevations to brighten the spaces and effectively manage natural light.