Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel has won a RIBA London Award and RIBA National Award for 2024! Designed by Henley Halebrown, and delivered by HLM Architects, this co–located independent secondary school and Baptist Chapel stands as a testament to civic character, thoughtful design and tranquility.
Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel is architecture that explores civic character, exemplified by decorum, quietude and presence, achieved through skill, discipline and material.
Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel has won a RIBA London Award and RIBA National Award for 2024! Designed in collaboration with Henley Halebrown, this co-located independent secondary school and Baptist Chapel stands as a testament to civic character, thoughtful design and tranquility.
Situated in the heart of Wandsworth’s York Gardens regeneration plan, Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel is a 6-storey building carving out 5,175m2 of floor space for up to 430 pupils inclusive of the workplace nursery, secondary students and SEN admissions within a constrained plot. The school emerges as a symbol of dignified presence amidst the bustling cityscape acting as a sanctuary, a place to learn and a cornerstone of the local community. Championing the concept by Henley Halebrown, we meticulously crafted a building that seamlessly integrates into its context while drawing in attention with its distinguished facade.
Harmonious fusion of form and function
The building’s design integrates the functions of a school and a chapel, each element contributing to the overall harmony of the structure. From the uplifting courtyard school entrance respecting views to established trees, to the captivating chapel experiences that invite engagement, every aspect of the design reflects thoughtful consideration and creative finesse.
HLM’s Lead Architect Luke Riggall commented on winning the 2024 RIBA London Award: “We are delighted that Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel has won the London RIBA Award. The building exemplifies the power of collaboration through clients, designers and contractors alike that championed a creative vision that has brought new opportunities to students and strengthened engagement the local community of Wandsworth.”
A sanctuary for students and local community
The architectural brilliance of the Thames Christian School lies in its ability to evoke a sense of stability and permanence while fostering an environment of warmth and inclusivity. With internal courtyards promoting access to natural elements and expansive gathering spaces that ground the facility, the building serves as a sanctuary for its 430 students, passionate staff and the community as a whole.
Commenting on this winning project, the RIBA jury stated: “The architecture of the new building offers stability and permanence in a physical and psychological context that surely welcomes its assured, confident presence and robust materiality. It exudes a rare civic presence, calm determination and resolve. Anchoring the energy of the neighbourhood, it is marked by finely composed plans and elevations which have resulted in a powerful, sensitively crafted new building.”
They concluded: “It is the antithesis of an architectural culture which is an extension of the entertainment industry. This is an architecture that explores civic character, exemplified by decorum, quietude and presence, achieved through skill, discipline and material.”
A beacon of understated elegance
In a world where architectural trends often prioritise visibility and spectacle, Thames Christian School and Battersea Chapel stand as a beacon of understated elegance and enduring significance. This is award-wining facility is a harmonious blend of skill, discipline, and materiality, rooted in a deep understanding of civic responsibility.
