Case Studies

Houlton School, Rugby

Grade II-listed, historic radio station site transformed with modern design to create new secondary school as part of key urban extension near Rugby

Photo: Urban & Civic and James Britain

Overview

In June 2017, the Department of Education commissioned LocatED to find a site for a new secondary school in Rugby. With 1,260 places to create, the site needed epic proportions, which led LocatED to secure the Grade II-listed former Rugby International Radio Station. Modern design and local heritage combined in Houlton School, a breathtaking development that opened its doors in 2021, as part of a key urban extension to the east of Rugby.

Challenge

Having been home to the station that transmitted the very first transatlantic radio signal in 1927, the Houlton area was now undergoing significant transformation. Developer, Urban & Civic was bringing a 6,500-home sustainable urban extension to the east of Rugby, and with the result expected to attract thousands of families, a new school would be needed to deliver high-quality education directly to the area. The obvious location was the former station buildings themselves, but as a listed icon, we needed to approach the reimagining with utmost sensitivity.

Solution

Keeping the building’s heritage in focus, LocatED’s in-house technical and planning experts advised on the considerations for its extensive restoration, even informing the restructuring of an existing Section-106 agreement that could have jeopardised the deal to ensure the project reached its potential. With LocatED’s input, Urban & Civic delivered a sensitive transformation of these historic walls into a new and inspiring learning environment.

Photo: Urban & Civic and James Britain

Now reinterpreted as the 20-acre campus of Houlton School, the original radio station architecture is complemented by modern additions, impactful outdoor spaces and a purpose-built sports centre meeting Sports England specifications. A new, state-of-the-art communications centre can be found on site with a fully resourced library, as well as a professional radio and television broadcasting station, allowing the historic legacy of the site to live on.

Impact

Despite the challenges reclaiming a historic building can bring, Houlton School demonstrates the power of grounding a town’s future in its past. This project has contributed to the meaningful placemaking of the wider Houlton development, not only creating an exceptional school for its young residents but also breathing new life into the area’s unique landmark. LocatED was able to honour Houlton’s iconic architectural history, while making way for innovation to shine.