Delivered as part of the wider Camden Lock masterplan, Hawley Primary school in Camden is nearing completion. The school building, designed by AHMM provides a new home for Hawley Infant School after the Autumn half term. The school layout has derived from thorough consultation with Hawley Infant School staff, children and families of the school, LBC Schools and LBC School Design Advisor, SCABAL.

The site is constrained by the railway viaduct which runs on the southern boundary, existing residential development to the east, Hawley Road to the north and Torbay Street to the west. Included within the site boundary is No.1 Hawley Road, a Grade II Listed Building.

Central to the scheme is a private landscaped external courtyard and a double height ‘heart’ space, bounded on three sides by a timber cloister structure. The courtyard provides a space for parents, children and school staff to mingle in a secluded environment away from the street and mirrors the same way the existing infant school currently operates.

Each classroom benefits from a dedicated external teaching space, adjacent to each classroom. External learning spaces for Years 1, 2 and 3 are covered to offer flexibility for a variety of activities. Solid parapets to terraces at upper levels modulate in height to provide views out towards the playground and street, while allowing glimpses of planting and activity within. The nursery and reception areas are flexible learning spaces under cover, with some shared elements such as a story house and tricycle track. Each area includes play structures, tactile and natural materials.

The main playground is designed to be a fun and interactive outdoor learning environment for all abilities. There is space for children to run around and let off steam, but also includes seating areas for quieter activities. Raised mounds provide a gradual transition from external learning to the open playground, and allow for timber climbing structures and willow tunnels to be incorporated. Climbing and art walls are included alongside the railway viaduct also.