Boutique chic for Brighton school boarders (From The Argus)

Boutique chic for Brighton school boarders

3:20pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Peter Truman

With designer furnishings, award-winning architects and a multi-million pound budget, one might think a new hotel was opening in Brighton.

But the project is actually the refurbishment of Roedean School, with pupils set to benefit from the major overhaul.

The school is spending £9 million on refitting its five boarding houses which it says will have the look of a boutique hotel.

Award-winning architects Buckley-GrayYeoman, which has been behind designs such as Fred Perry’s London headquarters and Channel 5’s headquarters reception, has been hired to implement the new style.

Restoration

The design team has been behind boutique hotels in London, New York and Paris as well as having experience in educational projects.

A spokesman said: “The corridor walls are in soft, matt Farrow and Ball-style paint and the restoration of the original features, such as the dado rail.

“The corridor itself has hospitality standard carpeting which replicates the feel of stripped boards and rugs but is easier to maintain. The ceiling has movement-sensitive recessed lighting.

“Replacing the institutional carpet tiles, lemon yellow gloss paint and cold lighting will take the houses from old-style institution to Alistair Sawday chic.”

All 196 bedrooms, communal spaces and private study areas will be updated to be “homely, light and reflect the original arts and crafts heritage of Roedean”.

Listing buildings

The original buildings, which are Grade II listed, were designed by Sir John Simpson, a former Roedean parent and the architect behind the twin towers of the original Wembley stadium, and his legacy will be maintained in the new designs.

Each house building will have a palette that reflects the house colours, and will include some familiar furnishings courtesy of Clarrisa Hulse, a former Roedean pupil.

Frances King, the headmistress at the school, said: “We are delighted with the sense of contemporary style which BuckleyGrayYeoman are bringing to the houses.

“We are setting a new standard in UK boarding and the result is exactly what you would expect in a world-renowned, iconic school like Roedean. We know that the girls will be thrilled when they start moving in later in the year.”

The work is expected to be complete by September 2013.

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