City of London Freemen’s School Dining Hall has been shortlisted for an AJ Architecture Award 2026 in the School Project category (up to £20 million)!

We reimagined the existing assembly hall as a flexible dining and social space for the whole school community. Working closely with @CityofLondon students and staff, we increased capacity and improved access and performance, while bringing in more light, natural materials and a greater sense of welcome.

We care about creating places that feel generous, intuitive and built to last. By listening closely and working collaboratively, we’ve shaped a space that supports the rituals of school life today, while giving Freemen’s the flexibility to evolve in the future.

A huge thank you to our client, collaborators and project teams who helped bring it to life: City of London, Pick Everard, Baily Garner, Eckersley O’Callaghan, Alexander James, and Brinson Staniland Partnership

Photography by Tim Crocker