Boarding House Refurbishment

Westminster Cathedral Choir School | London

Boarding House Refurbishment

Client:

Westminster Cathedral Choir School

Scope:

Decoration, Flooring, Lighting, Electrics, HVAC, Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

Timescale:

Summer Holiday - 8 Weeks

Project Overview

CID worked with Westminster Cathedral Choir School to transform a collection of boarding spaces into a cohesive, welcoming and highly practical environment for pupils and staff.
The refurbishment encompasses bedrooms for Years 4–5, Years 6–7 and Year 8, alongside a new Common Room, Housemaster’s Staff Room, Medical Room and connecting circulation spaces.
The design combines robust, school-ready finishes with a distinctly residential character. Colour, texture, bespoke storage and playful detailing give each space its own identity, while a consistent approach to materials and detailing creates a strong sense of cohesion across the boarding house.

Bunk Beds

Wardrobe Space

Stenciled Stars

weeks

Start to Completion

The Design Process

Our client decided to take up a design package to help them visualise some of the rooms before the refurbishment works started. We created 3D renders of the Dormitories as well as the Common Room. This enabled us to trial different colour palettes and potential finishes to see what worked best. It also allowed the client to share the visuals with the wider staff, and crucially the students, to help make their final decision.

The design combines robust, school-ready finishes with a distinctly residential character. Colour, texture, bespoke storage and playful detailing give each space its own identity, while a consistent approach to materials and detailing creates a strong sense of cohesion across the boarding house.

3D Visualisations

The Construction

Work commenced as soon as the school broke up for the summer holidays, allowing us to make full use of the eight-week window before pupils returned. We are highly experienced in delivering projects within tight timescales, particularly within live education environments where programmes are often dictated by school holiday periods. To ensure the works remained on schedule, we carefully planned and coordinated every stage of the project in advance, including labour, subcontractors, material deliveries and key installation dates. The programme was monitored closely throughout the works, with all trades sequenced efficiently to minimise delays and ensure each element could progress as planned. This detailed approach to programming and coordination enabled us to complete the project within the required eight-week timeframe, ready for the children to return after the summer break.

Year 4/5 Dormitory

Designed for younger pupils, the Year 4/5 dormitory combines a warm, reassuring palette with playful details that give the room a strong sense of personality.

Jasmine White walls are paired with a contrasting blue-green ceiling featuring a pattern of white stars, while durable carpet tiles provide a practical flooring solution. Teal noticeboards, striped curtains and bespoke storage introduce colour and character, while a sofa, bean bags and soft furnishings create informal spaces for relaxing beyond the sleeping areas. The result is a comfortable, homely environment designed specifically around the needs of younger boarders.

Year 6-7 Dormitory

The Year 6/7 dormitory adopts a more mature palette while retaining the playful character established in the younger bedrooms.

A navy ceiling creates a strong visual identity overhead, complemented by Jasmine White walls, Tyrolean Blue wardrobes and patterned curtains. Durable carpet tiles provide a practical foundation, while bespoke storage helps create an organised and comfortable environment.

The scheme reflects the pupils’ increasing independence, creating a more mature space without losing the warmth and personality of the boarding house.

Year 8 Dormitory

The Year 8 dormitory takes a more sophisticated approach, creating a contemporary environment appropriate for the school’s older boarders.

A two-tone wall treatment is carefully aligned with the headboards, creating a strong architectural detail, while neutral finishes and Taupe Grey wardrobes provide a calm backdrop. A dedicated media wall introduces a focal point for informal socialising.

The finished space feels contemporary and appropriately grown-up, supporting the increasing independence of the pupils.

Common Room

The Common Room is the social heart of the boarding house — a flexible space designed around relaxation, interaction and informal activity. A neutral backdrop is layered with blue, teal and marigold accents, while varied seating creates settings for both individual downtime and group interaction. A bespoke media unit provides a focal point, complemented by large “HANGOUT” lettering and a series of interactive wall games including Wordle, XOX and Plinco.

One of the room’s defining features is a timber slat wall with integrated colour-changing lighting, creating an architectural focal point and a dynamic atmosphere. The result is a contemporary social space that feels less like a traditional school common room and more like somewhere pupils genuinely want to spend their free time.

Medical Room

The Medical Room combines cleanliness, durability and comfort to create a calm and welcoming environment for pupils.

A clean, light palette and durable luxury vinyl flooring provide a practical foundation, while bespoke storage offers substantial capacity for the room’s requirements. A dedicated bed, fridge and sink ensure the space is both comfortable and self-contained.

Housemaster’s Staff Room

The Housemaster’s Staff Room was designed as a practical but comfortable space supporting both work and downtime. A light, residential palette is combined with warm timber-effect flooring, built-in storage and a compact kitchenette. An integrated worktop provides a practical desk area, while comfortable seating and planting create a more relaxed environment away from the formal school setting.

“
WCCS BoarderWestminster Cathedral Choir School
“When I first walked in, I couldn't believe how different it looked. It feels really smart and new, but it still feels like our boarding house - cosy and welcoming”

“
WCCS ParentWestminster Cathedral Choir School
“Someone who clearly understands boys that age has helped design a space for them to feel as cosy and comfortable as possible, with lots of really thoughtful small details. They have the capacity to be sociable, but also to have some privacy and quiet. I sat on my son's bed, and it was so comfortable, I had to resist the urge to have a quick lie down!”

“
WCCS PupilWestminster Cathedral Choir School
“My first thought when I saw the new boarding was what a great year it was going to be and how much fun I was going to have with my friends”

“
WCCS PupilWestminster Cathedral Choir School
“Seeing it for the first time was amazing. Everything looks so new, modern and fresh. I couldn't wait to get all my things unpacked”

“
WCCS ParentWestminster Cathedral Choir School
“As a parent, you want to know that your son will be happy and comfortable when he's away from home. The new boarding accommodation feels bright, child-friendly and incredibly welcoming - exactly what modern boarding should be.”

Final Thoughts

The project demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can transform the everyday experience of boarding. Each space responds to its users — from the playful character of the younger dormitories through to the more mature Year 8 accommodation, the social focus of the Common Room and the practical needs of staff and welfare spaces.

Durable finishes sit alongside residential furniture, bespoke joinery and carefully considered colour. Details such as starry ceilings, contrasting palettes, interactive games and integrated lighting bring personality to spaces that need to work hard every day.

The completed refurbishment creates a boarding environment that is robust enough for school life, comfortable enough to feel like home, and distinctive enough to give pupils a genuine sense of belonging.

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