The new Lower School building at Dulwich College, is a sustainable, three-storey library hub for 11–12-year-olds. Blending tradition and innovation as part of a future focussed masterplan.

Set within the historic Dulwich College campus, the new Lower School Library by almanac marks a transformative step in the evolution of the school’s educational environment. Replacing a long-standing portacabin, the new three-storey building provides a dedicated identity and entrance for Lower School pupils aged 11–12, fostering independence within the broader school campus. The design forms part of a wider, phased masterplan to adapt and retrofit post-war school buildings, uniting education and sustainability in a coherent architectural narrative.

Balancing tradition with innovation, the library is positioned between Dulwich College’s Grade II* listed Barry Building and Grimshaw’s 2016 Laboratory, acting as a contemporary ‘gatepost’ to the school estate. Its pale brick façade, deep-set and angled windows, and sculptural detailing signal a welcoming civic presence.

Internally, flexible spaces support both quiet study and collaborative learning, unified by a central double-height atrium and an oak-clad concrete spiral stair.

A participatory design process engaged pupils, staff, and estate managers, ensuring that the building responds to real educational and emotional needs. The library hosts informal and structured activities and supports out-of-hours use, while also accommodating ICT, robotics, and performance functions. A formal community use agreement with Southwark Council enables the space to support broader educational and cultural initiatives, including the Dulwich Literary Festival.

With future phases set to include a wellbeing centre and arts wing, the Lower School Library initiates a new era of sustainable, learner-centred architecture at Dulwich College — a learning landscape for the next generation.