Client: Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd Saracens School is a state-of-the-art, three-storey educational facility built on a brownfield site in Colindale, London. The design features two wings arranged in an L-shape, connected by a full-height atrium with a striking staircase. A separate sports block provides high-quality indoor sports facilities, supporting physical education and student wellbeing. The school was designed to accommodate modern teaching methods, with flexible classrooms and collaborative learning spaces. Services we provided Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Ground Investigation & Land Quality Structural Engineering Water Engineering & Flood Risk Our Role BWB’s structural and civil engineering team played a key role in delivering the Saracens School project. Our engineers developed structural designs that balanced the building’s ambitious architectural vision with the practical requirements of educational facilities. Complex geometry The superstructure, which features exposed pre-stressed floor units, was designed to maximise thermal mass and support the integration of services within the building fabric. The project’s complex geometry, including splayed corners and multi-level spaces, required advanced modelling techniques to ensure structural stability and alignment with the architectural vision. Site investigations We also managed the site investigation and ground modelling, which were crucial given the complexities of the brownfield site. Our team developed a foundation solution that accounted for variable ground conditions and integrated a drainage strategy to manage surface water. The project’s complex geometry, including splayed corners and multi-level spaces, required advanced modelling techniques to ensure structural stability and alignment with the architectural vision. Overcoming challenges Throughout the project, our engineers coordinated closely with the design and construction teams, ensuring that the building’s structural elements supported efficient service distribution and maximised internal space. The project was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring us to adapt quickly to new working methods and maintain communication with stakeholders through remote collaboration tools.