The new 'Heart of the School' building for St. Benedict's will accommodate a new assembly hall, examination hall, languages department, music school and chapel.

Located in the West London suburb of Ealing, St. Benedict's new building replaces an existing poor quality single storey building set within a courtyard formed by a 1930s classroom block, the 1960s dining hall and the 1990s sports hall.

The building draws on the school's Benedictine heritage. The central motif in the plan at ground and first floor is a cloister, which frames the examination room and opens up to form the assembly space.

The second floor accommodates the new music school and chapel. Gently sloping circulation links the surrounding buildings, eliminating the need for steps. The music school's accommodation is planned in a long block adjacent to the sports hall, which forms one side of a new 'aerial' quadrangle. This arrangement creates a sonorous backdrop for the new chapel. The scheme also creates a new visitors entrance, improved staff facilities and re-provides the majority of the pupil WCs.

The building is clad in ivory polished concrete panels in front of which a gold anodised aluminium clad 'tabernacle' forms a diminutive single storey entrance lobby. The new chapel will be a symbolic presence visible from much of the school, the examination hall & assembly space. The scheme extends its influence throughout the school in integrating isolated buildings and floors, improving accessibility and in creating a cultural (both symbolic and physical) and sustainable heart for the school.

Buschow Henley are working in conjunction with structural engineer Techniker, environmental engineer Furness Green, acoustic consultant Alan Saunders Associates and project manager and cost consultant Gleeds. The scheme was granted detailed planning consent in April 2007 and is programmed to open in time for the 2008-2009 academic year.