Update: since publishing this article in October 2024, we're pleased to report that the classroom has been dismantled and shipped to the Czech Republic, where it will become the first (posthumous) Jan Kaplicky building in the country of his birth. How fitting!
World's coolest classroom seeks new owner, pronto.
If something seems familiar about the Ingenium Classroom Pod at Grey Court Secondary School in Richmond-upon-Thames, perhaps you're a cricket fan. The space-age learning pod was designed in 2004 by avant-garde architects Future Systems, and is a miniature take on their Media Centre at Lord's Cricket Ground, which won the RIBA Stirling Prize back in 1999.
Described as a "B-movie alien spaceship" and an "oversized iPod" the structure is made from modular GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) components, using semi-monocoque boat-building technology, and features built-in seating and digital white boards, colourful suspended circular acoustic discs, and a self-contained toilet and cloakroom area. It's the kind of enthralling design that takes the edge off a double maths period.
But now the school's grown too big, and the classroom has to make way for a new extension. The Twentieth Century Society is adamant that the pod finds another use elsewhere, rather than face the wrecking ball. But that leaves very limited time — by 20 December to be exact — to find it a new home.
Says Oli Marshall, Campaigns Director at the Twentieth Century Society: "Sports pavilion? Ice cream parlour? Park café? Tourist info centre? With a little imagination, there’s ample re-use potential for this miniature modern classic.
"Future Systems were one of the true 'starchitect' practices of the 90s and 00s yet had relatively few built-projects, so this is an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire an original."
The pod, which measures 10m x 16m, was designed to be dismantlable and relocatable — so there should be no excuses not to find it a new home. But if this classroom does end up being demolished, then we really have learned nothing at all.
Think you might be the right organisation or individual to give this wonderful structure a second lease of life? Email [email protected] for more info.
