Temple Building Refurbishment at Brighton Girls School by Walters & Cohen Architects: A Contemporary Model for School Building Refurbishment Architecture

A Historic Campus Reimagined for the Future

Located in Brighton and Hove, the Brighton Girls School has a long-standing legacy dating back to 1876. As a founding member of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), the school has continued to evolve with the changing needs of modern education. In 2020, a transformative decision was made to unify its scattered accommodations onto a single site, with a focus on reimagining underused heritage spaces. Walters & Cohen Architects took on the challenge, delivering a project that now stands as a benchmark for school building refurbishment architecture in the UK.

Breathing New Life into a Grade II-Listed Building

At the heart of this transformation is the Temple Building, a Grade II-listed structure. Once fragmented and underutilized, it has undergone a significant refurbishment. The design repositions the Temple as the school’s main entrance and social hub. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a luminous and spacious area known as The Hive, a café-style environment designed for both casual interaction and focused study. This space not only forms the school’s new reception but also defines its renewed cultural and social identity.

Versatile Spaces for 21st-Century Learning

Surrounding The Hive are multipurpose rooms that include a library, a presentation room, and a makerspace—each designed to function independently or in conjunction with one another. This adaptive layout promotes both structured learning and spontaneous collaboration. Meanwhile, the basement, once home to lockers and toilets, has been transformed into a dynamic music center, complete with classrooms, practice rooms, and specialist storage. A green acoustic curtain encircles the central area, enabling its use as a flexible performance venue, further amplifying the building’s versatility.

A New Vision for Sixth Form Education

The top floor of the building now hosts the sixth form hub. Designed in collaboration with students, the open-plan space features a social kitchen area on one end and quiet study zones on the other. A warm plywood installation subtly divides the two environments. Relocating the sixth form to this upper level carries symbolic weight—placing senior students at the pinnacle of the school’s architecture, both physically and aspirationally.

Sustainable Restoration and Outdoor Integration

In line with contemporary sustainability standards, the refurbishment included the replacement of windows and enhanced insulation to improve environmental performance. The exterior landscape was also revitalized, introducing new seating and boosting biodiversity. These thoughtful improvements ensure the school supports not just academic success but also wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

A Space that Embodies Ethos and Energy

The refurbishment successfully blends heritage with innovation. As described by the headteacher, the new design captures a perfect balance between liveliness and tranquility. It reflects the school's ethos of wellbeing and culture, with high ceilings, sympathetic color palettes, and ample daylight contributing to a peaceful yet energetic atmosphere. Even former students have praised the transformation, acknowledging the care taken in preserving the building’s legacy while updating it for a new generation.

All Photographs are works of Jim Stephenson