The Matriz Project actually invloves three different projects:

• an extension to the existing Cashman Building
• a new kitchen and dining area
• a new building, the Mackenzie Building, on Rua da Matriz where the school owns three houses:
• Ribeiro dos Santos House bought in 1968
• Rua da Matriz 90 bought in 2000
• Rua da Matriz 92 bought in 1999

The Mackenzie Building will be erected behind the preserved façades of Matriz 90 and the Ribeiro dos Santos house. The building totals 3100m² and will provide the following facilities:

• Multi-purpose gymnasium: 340m²
• Spacious Library connected to ICT Labs: 190m²
• Two ICT laboratories: 53m² each
• Two Science laboratories: 60m² each
• Art Room: 70m²
• Classrooms
• Support areas

The Cashman Extension, with 624m², will connect the Mackenzie Building to the existing Cashman Building and will provide additional teaching space.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie, founder of The British School. The new building to be constructed where the Ribeiro dos Santos and two adjacent houses now stand is to be named the Mackenzie Building.

Preserving the Past A Tribute to Sir Alexander Mackenzie The Mackenzie Building will be named in honour of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, founder of The British School.

In order to preserve the historical value of the street, the project includes the partial preservation of the façades of two houses; the Ribeiro dos Santos (nº 86) and Matriz 90.

Rua da Matriz was opened in the late 19th century to provide access to the Igreja Matriz de São João Batista, built in 1873. It was the first public road opened in Botafogo and is now part of a municipal preservation area.
The houses and buildings along the street represent various periods of the city's history - the twin mansions of the 19th century, the art-deco building of the 1930's and the 1990's residential building with tiled exterior and verandas. The houses that belong to the school are of eclectic style ( an architectural style in which elements of various styles are mixed) while the gate at nº 76 is a remnant of the property that belonged to the Condessa de Santa Marinha and was sold to the British Crown in 1928. This property was then transferred to the British community in the 1940's, when the present Church complex was built.