About Caldicott New Developments The Centenary Hall | The Centenary Hall |
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This is intended as a permanent record of a major project which took a little over a year to complete. For information, until completion it was known as the Performing Arts Centre.
A report printed in the architecture section of The Independent newspaper is here. 1) The Demolition - Wednesday 11 June 2003
I loved every bit of it for some reason as the walls just collapsed onto the floor and the windows smashed. The whole process took about twenty minutes and I am sure everyone enjoyed it. The Headmaster was smiling all the way through the process. My favourite bit was when the 'dozer swung its massive hook into the side of the building, just flattening the walls to rubble. The 'dozer ran over the rubble and placed it into piles and then went on to demolish the stage. It was surprising how flimsy the assembly hall was because the crane just ripped through everything as easily as if it was cardboard. It smashed through the stage and ripped down the curtains and punched through the back wall like paper. Brilliant. H Streatfeild (12.08)
2) The Excavation and Foundations - July 2003
3) Building Up - September 2003
The picture above shows the concrete frames and the walls being built. It is taken from inside the new hall, and it is possible to see the rooms and storage areas on the right-hand side.
4) The Roof - October/November 2003
This delivery had to be made at the front of the school, because the beams were too long to go around the corners of the site access path. They were lifted around the tree and stacked on the croquet lawn! The picture below shows all of the beams in place. Over a few weeks the beams were covered with plywood, then with foam glass insulation, and then with sheets of copper.
5) On the Way to Completion - March 2004
Though there was still lots to do, work was moving on apace. Here is the front of the building, with the glass fitted. Below, rolls of copper wait on the roof to be fitted by the coppersmiths. 
6) Other Areas - April 2004
Above are the new, full-height windows in the Junior Corridor, which will give an excellent view of the new building.
7) Just About There - July 2004
8) Here is a November morning picture of the completed building, framed by trees and with the Main House in the background. 
9) A video of the whole construction
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The demolition at Caldicott was excellent. Everyone enjoyed it, even the teachers and as I say you can always do with a bit of destruction! The whole school cheered when the massive 'dozer smashed straight into the Extra English room. I hope Mrs Rose knew!
