New Art & Technology Block for Buckhurst Hill School Nearing Completion

BUCKHURST HILL, U.K. - Aug. 11, 2016 - PRLog -- The school, located in Palmerston Road, teaches boys aged 3 to 11. It has always aimed to develop the natural talents and skills of its pupils, and the new art and technology block will go a long way to assisting with this goal.

The block will comprise two classrooms where pupils will be able to focus on developing their artistic and technology skills. It is only the second time in the school's history that the building has been extended: the first time was back in the 1950s when a new block was added. And it is this block that is growing upwards to accommodate the new classrooms, courtesy of a Mansard roof extension which will create a third storey.

Working with a Piece of History

The original Loyola School building is mock-Tudor and dates back to around the 19^th century. Its prominent steeply pitched roof, Tudor style half-timbering, overhanging first floor, pillared porches and towering chimneys are all part of its charming character, but this fine detail presented something of a challenge for the building company tasked with ensuring the newly added third storey would flow sympathetically with the period features of the old building.

"Whilst the work is now going full steam ahead and scheduled to complete in time for the new term as planned, I have to admit the whole concept of tying in the new extension with the period features of the original building posed quite a challenge," said Marc Loppas, managing director of Buckhurst Hill based building firm Bespoke Lofts, appointed in conjunction with Atlantic Lodge Housing to undertake the project.

"We had to make sure it looked like the third storey extension had always been there. The existing structure of the main building was complicated to work with bearing in mind it was originally built over a century ago and sported numerous intricate features like multiple roof pitches and chimneys, but together with our engineer we worked out a solution whilst we were onsite so that we could fit the new around the old.

"The outside of the new storey will be finished in such a way that it matches the rest of the building and therefore flows seamlessly. It's quite a job, but a satisfying challenge and the fact that the young students are going to benefit from the new classrooms is an added benefit for us," added Marc.

The extension is due for completion in September 2016 when Loyola Preparatory School returns for the new term.

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Notes for Editors

Press release submitted by Bespoke Lofts of Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill.

Media contact for this release: Sarah Mac

Images: Available on request

About Bespoke Lofts: A family run company with more than 20 years' experience in the building industry, Bespoke Lofts is a Federation of Master Builders and Guild of Master Craftsmen approved construction firm operating throughout London and Essex. www.bespokelofts.co.uk.

About Atlantic Lodge Housing: Atlantic Lodge Housing is a property development company founded in 1998 and based in Chingford, London. www.atlantic-housing.com.

About Loyola Preparatory School: Loyola Preparatory School is a Roman Catholic School for boys aged 3-11 years. It is located in Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill. www.loyola.essex.sch.uk