40 Buildings Saved

17. Former Lilian Baylis School, Lambeth, London

Status: Listed Grade II
Architect: Architects Co-Partnership (ACP)
Owners: Henley Homes
Location: Lollard Street, Lambeth, London

Background

Designed by Architects Co-Partnership (ACP) as a school for 600 children, the development was completed in 1964, named after Lilian Mary Baylis (1874-1937), champion of high-quality theatre and ballet at low prices.  Comprising an innovative series of pavilions around a courtyard with a particularly handsome school hall, made octagonal by means of a gallery.  The use of dark brick and exposed concrete gave a tough yet dramatic finish. Listed at Grade II in 2002 following an application from the C20 Society.

Threat

The school relocated in 2005 and years of dereliction and decay ensued until the site was placed onto Historic England’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register.

Action

C20 campaigned against demolition and pressed the council to find a viable solution for the building, advising that the spaces were flexible enough to accommodate a new use.

Outcome

The site was bought by Henley Homes in 2011 and transformed into a new residential development offering 149 new homes, 40% of them affordable. C20 supported the development despite the demolition of the western half of the site as it recognised that it secured a long-term viable solution for the site and retained the buildings with the most significant architectural merit. In 2016 it received a Housing Design Award.