Smithdon High School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smithdon High School (formerly known as Hunstanton Secondary Modern School) is a comprehensive school in Hunstanton, Norfolk. Designed by the controversial architects Peter and Alison Smithson and completed in 1954, the school was immediately acclaimed by the architectural critics. However, its stark and uncompromising design, particularly the large expanses of glass (inspired by the work of Mies van der Rohe) caused some practical problems with heating and cooling, and this has since been modified by the addition of black panels in place of glass. This building is now officially a Grade II listed building due to its exciting architectural style.
The Smithdon Logo
Hunstanton School was one of the most popular works by the Smithsons, in stark contrast, for example, to the 1960s Robin Hood Gardens, a widely reviled housing project in East London. Known locally as 'the glasshouse', the school was strikingly modern in many ways, most notably in its extensive use of glass and steel, and the unusual free-standing water tower. It is often regarded as the first important example of the movement which came to be known as New Brutalism.
[edit] See also
| Norfolk Schools |
|---|
| Comprehensive Schools: Cromer High School | Smithdon High School | Lynn Grove High School | Litcham High School Wymondham College |
| Sixth Form Colleges: Paston College | Notre Dame High School (Norwich) |
| Special Schools: None yet on Wikipedia |
| Former Schools: Norfolk County School | Watts Naval School |
| Independent Schools: Frisby's English School |
| Public Schools: Gresham's School | Norwich School | Norwich High School for Girls |
