Newcastle School for Boys – Sixth Form building
The Brief
As the school prepared to transition from single-sex to co-educational, the Sixth Form building and shared spaces needed to reflect this important shift. Housed within a beautiful stone-built Victorian building, rich in character and architectural detail, the interiors required a thoughtful refresh — modernising the space while respecting its heritage.
The brief called for a scheme that aligned with the school’s rebrand, introduced warmth and personality, and was robust enough for daily student use. Making use of existing resources, particularly student artwork, was key, alongside developing a flexible design template that could be rolled out in future phases as funding allows.
Design Response
A cohesive look and feel was developed to bridge the building’s Victorian character with a more contemporary, inclusive aesthetic appropriate for a modern Sixth Form environment. Warm, welcoming colours and layered textures were introduced to soften the stone architecture, creating spaces that feel relaxed yet purposeful.
Materials were carefully selected for durability and stain resistance, ensuring the interiors would withstand heavy use without compromising on design quality. Existing furniture and fittings were retained and refreshed where possible, allowing the project to maximise value while minimising waste.
Student artwork was given pride of place throughout the scheme, becoming an integral part of the visual identity of the spaces and adding authenticity, colour and individuality. This not only celebrated the students themselves but also brought a sense of ownership and personality into the interiors.
An overarching design framework was created to guide future improvements, enabling the school to enhance additional areas over time while maintaining visual consistency. The result is a refreshed Sixth Form environment that feels warm, inclusive and contemporary, while remaining respectful of the building’s historic fabric and the school’s evolving identity.