Project overview

Ibstock Place Prep School

Location: London, UK

Founded in 1894, Ibstock Place School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18. Set within eight acres beside Richmond Park, the school offers extensive outdoor space designed to support both learning and play.

Ibstock Place Prep School approached us with a clear goal: to refurbish their studio theatre. The existing retractable seating unit, fitted with individual chairs, had become worn and outdated. They wanted to transform the room into a brighter, more contemporary space that better reflected the school’s character and needs. After discussing their vision, they invited us to explore how we could upgrade the entire seating system.

Solution

Because the room already housed an older retractable unit, our first step was to dismantle and remove it before beginning work on the new installation. After reviewing the space and the school’s requirements, we recommended the Club bench and backrest, which offered the ideal balance of comfort, durability, and modern design. The final layout provides seating for 222 pupils.

To ensure smooth operation and easy storage, we incorporated self-storing rails and side drapes into the design. Intermediate steps and aisle nosing were added to improve accessibility and safety when moving through the seating rows. The entire unit was then upholstered in colours that reflect the school’s identity, completing the transformation into a fresh, functional theatre space.