Client: Moulsford Preparatory School
Architect: Nichols Brown Webber
Type of works: supply of SSQ First Domiz^® Blue/Grey roofing slate.

Moulsford Preparatory School lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, standing proudly above the River Thames midway between Wallingford and Pangbourne.

As architect Mark Webber explains, the thinking behind the design of the school’s new sport’s hall results in a radical contrast to the traditional Red brick and clay-tile of the main building and makes a striking addition to the banks of the river:

“The conservation officer was very influential in the building’s design. She suggested that a boathouse-style building would be appropriate for the location: its style, and the choice of materials, would provide a contrast to the main building but without dominating it.

"The height of the roof had to be kept as low as possible so that it didn’t restrict light to the main building or block the views from it. To achieve this we designed a multi-level roof with a shallow, 25° pitch but, as natural roofing slate was to be used, the low pitch limited the choice to those strong enough to withstand wind-lift, the inevitable noise associated with it and, of course, possible failure.

"We specified SSQ First Domiz^® Blue/Grey roofing slate for both technical and aesthetic reasons: its strength and quality gives the performance needed and its cold, hard, colour provides a dramatic foil to the rich warmth of the western red cedar walls.”