Teaching and Learning Space for Waltham Forest College: Studio DERA Transforms a Disused Pool into a Sustainable Educational Hub

The Teaching and Learning Space for Waltham Forest College, designed by Studio DERA, is a landmark example of sustainable educational architecture in London, United Kingdom. Completed in 2025, this 994 m² project reimagines a long-abandoned school swimming pool, transforming it into a vibrant multi-purpose facility that supports teaching, wellbeing, collaboration, and student growth.

With the college expanding rapidly, finding innovative ways to meet growing academic and extracurricular needs became essential. Having previously collaborated with the institution on a sustainable materials workshop and a hempcrete community center in Higham Hill, Studio DERA—led by architects Max Dewdney and Marcel Rahm—was invited by Principal & CEO Janet Gardner to rethink the underused site.

Adaptive Reuse: Turning a Derelict Pool into a Modern Learning Environment

Rather than demolish and rebuild, the architects chose to retrofit the existing structure, prioritizing sustainability, cost-efficiency, and material circularity. Their design strategy emphasized:

• Minimal environmental impact
• Retention of structural integrity
• Extensive use of natural, low-carbon materials
• Upgrading the building envelope for high energy performance

A compelling RIBA Stage 2 Report, aligned with the college’s estate strategy, secured funding from the UK’s Department for Education, enabling the vision to move forward.

Collaborative, User-Centric Design

Studio DERA’s approach was grounded in continuous engagement with the college community. Through workshops with educators, curriculum leaders, facilities teams, and students, the architects developed spatial solutions tailored to real academic needs. Their research shaped:

• The zoning of the former pool for various learning styles
• The integration of biophilic design using timber and natural textures
• Enhanced acoustic performance for a quieter learning environment
• The addition of a stage and IT suite to support diverse activities

This collaborative process ensured the final building would be not only visually inspiring but operationally practical.

A Flexible, Light-Filled Learning Hub

The completed 994 m² facility offers five distinct learning zones, each designed for different teaching styles and group sizes—from focused individual study to collaborative workshops.

Key Features of the New Learning Space

• A raised stage, positioned at the deep end of the old pool, now hosts lectures, performances, and assemblies.
• A new IT suite, cleverly located beneath the stage, takes advantage of the original pool’s depth to create a high-performance digital learning environment.
• Expanded windows: The existing high-level windows were opened down to floor level, dramatically increasing natural daylight.
• Custom seating and workspaces: The architects added integrated window seating and fixed desks around the former pool concourse, maximizing study areas without overcrowding.

The result is a warm, welcoming, timber-rich interior that encourages focus, creativity, and wellbeing.

Sustainable Systems and Material Choices

To meet the Department for Education’s energy standards, Studio DERA introduced a series of environmental upgrades:

• Triple-glazed windows for improved insulation
• Internal and external wall insulation to reduce heat loss
• New insulated pipework
• Air source heat pumps powering a renewable energy system
• Mixed-mode ventilation for healthy airflow
• LED lighting to reduce operational energy consumption

Material selections were driven by principles of low embodied carbon, durability, and circular design:

• FSC-certified timber
• Recycled acoustic panels
• Low-VOC, non-toxic finishes
• Locally sourced materials from manufacturers including Cibes Lift, Lindum Turf, Eastside Timber, Velfac, and The Iron Age Metalworks

These choices significantly reduce the building’s long-term environmental impact while creating a calm, naturally textured interior environment.

An Evolving Space Shaped by Real-Time User Feedback

Although completed in 48 weeks, the project continues to be refined. Studio DERA is working with the college to adjust lighting, acoustics, and spatial configurations based on student and staff experience. This post-occupancy approach ensures long-term adaptability and makes the space resilient to future educational needs.

A Model for Modern Educational Architecture

The transformation of Waltham Forest College’s abandoned pool underscores the power of adaptive reuse, sustainable design, and community-driven architecture. By combining natural materials, strategic zoning, and high-performance environmental systems, Studio DERA has created a flexible, uplifting, and future-ready teaching space that sets a new benchmark for UK higher education environments.

All the photographs are works of Lorenzo Zandri