Skip to main content

3d rendered image of the Main entrance to the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Windsor Boys School Hamm
Germany Virtual Tour

Originally a barracks called Argonner Kaserne on Soester Straße, Hamm, Nordrhein-Westfalen and built in 1937/38, the British took control and renamed it Brixton Camp. At first the camp housed German and Austrian POW's and then went on to be the base for the Polish 61st Tank Transporter Unit.

In 1953 Brixton Camp reopened as Windsor School which was a mixed boarding school and stayed that way until 1959 when it became the male only Windsor Boys School (WBS). The nearby Newcastle Barracks opened up as Windsor Girls School (WGS).In 1981 WBS became mixed again and then finally closed its gate in 1983.

Sign saying All visitors please report to the Watchman at Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany

Remains of the Dining Block in 2020

Remains of the Dining Block. (2020)
Photograph courtesy of Chris Brooking

After seeing images online showing the remains of Windsor Boys School / Windsor school in Hamm, like many others that went to the school between 1953 and 1983 there was a disappointment that it won't be there anymore. I never really had the chance to go back to Hamm and have a look at the old buildings and always thought they would have been converted into apartments or something else. No chance of that and all that was left in 2020 was a pile of debris from the Dining block.

I have a keen interest in 3D modelling so it was time to bring the school back to life and show the buildings and grounds as they would have been during that 30 year span. 

Thanks to the kind and knowledgeable members of the Windsor Boys and Windsor Girls School FB groups there were many old photographs and even a floor plan of the entire grounds to use for reference.

Doc Marten Boots

Revisit the School

Created over two years, the final virtual tour consists of 39 X 360 degree images of various locations throughout the school grounds. Included in the tour are popup image galleries displaying personal photographs from both pupils and teachers who have kindly allowed the photographs to be displayed outside the Facebook groups. A full list of the owners can be found on the tours Credits page.

3d rendered image of the swimming pool at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Swimming Pool

3d rendered image of the view from the fire escape at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Woodwork/Metalwork/Sports Hall

3d rendered image of the old shooting range at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Old shooting range and Garden

3d rendered image of the dining block at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Dining Hall

3d rendered image of the Chapel St Boniface at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Chapel St Boniface

3d rendered image of the old stables area at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Old stables area

Doc Marten Boots

Let the Windsor Project grow

Your contribution, regardless of its scale, is deeply valued. No PayPal account is required.


The success, advancement, and momentum of the Windsor School project thrive on the kind-hearted backing of individuals like yourself, who graciously contribute donations to empower me in dedicating more time to its growth. Your contribution, regardless of its scale, is deeply valued.

Making a donation will also help contribute towards the additional bandwidth charges and keep the tour online so you can return anytime.

If direct support isn't feasible for you, there's no need to worry. Sharing the project with your friends and providing your valuable insights already make not only a significant impact in sustaining the project's vibrancy but also its accuracy.

Doc Marten Boots

The Interiors

1st / 2nd year dormitory

A 360-degree view of the first and second-year dormitory in Balmoral House. The model was based on the original image below taken in 1979 when there were 8 boarders in the dorm. The view out of the window looked down to the cobblestone road that led to the old stables area.

Doc Marten Boots

St Boniface Chapel

Two 360-degree views inside the St Boniface Chapel. One in the main area and the other up on the 6th-form balcony.

Doc Marten Boots

The Bedford SB3 Bus

A 360-degree view of the Bedford SB3 bus interior.  

The scene is 'Returning to Windsor School'.


Rge interior of a Bedford SB3 bus by Cicada Studio

Doc Marten Boots

The 1970s

Set up in the middle of the front field at Windsor School, a total of 8 tables displaying items from the 1970s.

Items include 

Sony TC 377 tape deck, Mercedes Benz 300 SEL, Honda CB 750 F Super Sport 1970, Datsun Bluebird 510 wagon,  Bedford SB3 Bus, JVC 3070 Radio TV Cassette Recorder, Pentax K1000 Camera, Eumig Mark S 807 Projector, Technics Sl 1210 MK2 Turntable, Dr Marten boots, rotary telephone, .303 rifle, Prinzenrolle biscuits, Tupperware container, Apple II computer, Sony TPS-L2 Walkman, Vinyl Record covers, Deutsche Mark currency, cassette tapes, Famous Five books and The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, Great Universal catalogue, Trump Cards, Nash Shark Skateboard with metal wheels, Rolex Submariner watch from 1974,  Etch A Sketch, Rubiks Cube,  Meccano Pieces, Space 1999 Eagle Transporter, IBM Selectric II Typewriter, Raleigh Chopper bicycle, Dandy Beano and Mandy books, Sesame Street Pinball Number Count, ER Service School exercise book, 3D View-Master, Storm Troopers, Star Destroyer, TIE Fighter, X-wing starfighter, Space Invaders arcade cabinet, Doctor Who Tardis and Darlek.

Don't forget to look all around, up and down  :-)

Click the button below

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of 1970s items by Cicada Studio

Doc Marten Boots

Project timeline and updates

Still to do

  • 4th / 5th year female dormitory from WGS

  • Assembly building interior at WBS

  • Canteen interior

29th August, 2023

St Boniface Chapel interior is completed

The interior of the St Boniface Chapel at Windsor School Hamm.

15th August, 2023

1st/2nd year dormitory is completed

Reference image of the first years dormitory at Windsor School Hamm.

27 July, 2023

The Bedford SB3 bus is completed

Uploaded the 360-degree image created inside the Bedford SB3 bus.

The scene is 'Returning to Windsor School'.

360-degree image inside the Bedford SB3 bus by Cicada Studio

25 July, 2023

The 1970s 360 degree image is completed

The 360-degree image is located in the middle of the front field at Windsor School. Total of 8 tables displaying items from the 1970s, along with things around and in the air :-)

The 1970s at Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

24 January, 2023

Added images

Just added another 80 images to the various tour pages, including several to the Assembly Hall area as it was lacking in live bands and socials. To date, there's a total of 277 images of students, teachers & staff displayed near the location the pictures were taken. Thanks to the Facebook groups and also the non-Facebook users that sent emails with attachments.

I'm still on the lookout for more if they become available. If you have any negatives or slides of WBS (any year) that will probably end up in the bin during clearouts or downsizing, please send them over and I can scan and restore them if needed. Even printed photographs that you may have no need for anymore, let me get them up on the tour so everyone can see them.

Please get in touch to let me know what you have and for my postal address.

10 September, 2022

Swimming Pool

Added two new images of the swimming pool taken in the 60s.

3 September, 2022

Speech Day, 18th July 1959

A new popup page was created to show the Speech Day program that was kindly donated by John Rayner. This can be found via the movie camera link located in the middle of the front sports fields. Previously this link just showed the move clip.

13 July, 2022

Self-guided tours are now open

The virtual tour goes live.

The virtual tour of Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio goes live

26 May, 2022

Thanks to all the people that got in touch and I'm happy there's a great deal of interest out there.

The project has been on and off over the past several months due to home and work commitments, plus I just recently acquired 3 more photographs that changed the look of a few areas so I had to get back in and redo the modeling.

This picture of Padre Stuart Brindley shows the gravel area in the background is a lot larger than what I had originally modeled. I also misplaced the last two tree's at the end of the path. A bit OTT I'll agree but may as well get it as true to life as possible ;-)

Rendering has started again from scratch and the current count is 15 X 360 degree renders. I also upped the size of each render to 16,000px X 8000px to get the extra detail.

Padre Stuart Brindley at Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

December, 2021

I put the main project on hold as I wanted to make a winter scene based on the this image I found online showing a sunset.

Working out the direction of the shot, it was either taken from the fire escape or one of the windows up in Block 5 which was Caernarvon so I went with the window scene and included items from 1979 / 1980.

You can view the full-size version here and this one allows you to zoom in and out and listen to the recorded audio track of 'Sounds Like Sunday' on the BFBS Radio show.

Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany in the snow by Cicada Studio goes live

View the image

Doc Marten Boots

A 'before and after' of the school.

A before and after of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany

A before and after of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany

When the 360-degree images load, you can look around in all directions.
Drag the slider left or right to switch to the before or after view. 

The modern view is from Google Earth

Doc Marten Boots

The Modelling

Here's the very first attempt of Block 5A, Balmoral and Edinburgh houses.

The first stage of modeling BlocK 5A at the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany

Doc Marten Boots

Images of the basic 3D model

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d rendered image of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

Wire Frame Views

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio

3d wireframe views of the Windsor Boys School Hamm Germany by Cicada Studio


Renders -

Testing various vegetation to see what is possible with my computer / graphics card setup.

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany


Experimental Renders

Mist, rain, lighting and more types of vegetation.

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

3d test renders of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

  • Wireframe view of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

    Wireframe View

  • Wireframe view of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

    Shaded View

  • Wireframe view of Windsor Boys School Hamm, Germany

    Rendered View

    Doc Marten Boots

    ** New content for the tour **

    I'm still on the lookout for more images. If you have any negatives or slides of WBS (any year) that will probably end up in the bin during clearouts or downsizing, please send them over and I can scan and restore them if needed. Even printed photographs that you may have no need for anymore, let me get them up on the tour so everyone can see them.

    Please get in touch using the contact form below and I'll get back to you with a link for you to upload any digital files. If it's negative, slides or prints you have then I can pass on my mailing address.


    Let the Windsor Project grow

    Your contribution, regardless of its scale, is deeply valued. No PayPal account is required.