The Miles Warren Building is a new teaching and facilities block, which reflects and mirrors the much-loved and admired heritage buildings in the campus, while containing high-tech, state-of-the art facilities. Headmaster Simon Leese says, “We had an earthquake-strengthening programme planned for the English block in 2013, but nature got there first with the first earthquake in 2010. We were doing earthquake repairs from this when the 2011 shocks arrived, making it clear the building had to be demolished. The nearby Chapman Building presented enormous challenges to repair, as did the existing mathematics building, so the Board decided it would be best to clear all three buildings and have one coherent site. “While internally the new building is one contiguous complex, it is still identifiably three buildings,” he says. “Architect Alec Bruce's plan was to reflect the eclectic
nature of the whole campus and to prevent such an enormous building from being monolithic. “So he has given us an ultra-modern interpretation of several different architectural elements taken from around the school such as the dormers, one of the features of the newly-restored Hare Memorial building, the ridge ventilators from the old maths block and stone textures, which reflect those of surrounding buildings.''
The result is a gloriously harmonious addition to the campus, which has been universally admired, says Mr Leese. The building provides 16 teaching spaces, ancillary facilities and, after having no staffroom for two-and-a-half years, staff now have a spacious, modern area with a wonderful view over the Upper sports grounds. Reflecting its important role in the school, the new Learning Centre caters for students at both ends of
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