Heritage Unlimited were engaged to provide a Level 3 Building Recording to satisfy a planning condition attached to an approval for works at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham, a grade II listed building.
A Level 3 investigation is an analytical record comprising an introductory description followed by a systematic account of the building’s origins, development, and use. The record will include an account of the evidence on which the analysis has been based, allowing the validity of the record to be re-examined in detail. It will also include all drawn and photographic records that may be required to illustrate the building’s appearance and structure and to support an historical analysis. (Historic England 2016, 26).
The aim of the proposed work was to identify and objectively record any significant archaeological and architectural features and evidence for the original and subsequent historical form and functions of St Crispin’s School as specified in a Written Scheme of Investigation submitted to Wokingham Borough Council.
St Crispin’s School was designed in 1949-50 by David Medd (and others) and built in 1951-3, the first development of the Hertfordshire system built on Hills light steel frame. At Wokingham the ministry of Education’s newly agreed 3 ft 4 in module replaced the less flexible 8 ft 3 in module used at Hertfordshire (Bullock 2002, 223).
The building was listed for its special architectural or historic interest in 1993 after the considerable redevelopment of 1975. Much of the building’s interest is held in the main building phase of 1951-53. Architecturally the building was constructed in a modernist modular design using experimental techniques for multi-storey buildings at the time when The Lawn in Harlow was constructed as part of the New Town development.
Heritage Unlimited visited the site and undertook a site inspection and photographic recording of the exterior and some public areas of the interior. Research from the National Archives and Berkshire Archives was undertaken to identify and collate relative material for the completion of the reports required.
The report was supplied to the client and to the local planning authority and an identical copy supplied to the local HER in full compliance with their recommendations and guidelines, as required.
