City Academy, Homerton, Hackney

• Client: DCSF/City of London/KPMG
• Architect: Studio E Architects Ltd.
• Market Sector: Education
• Services: Building Control

This Academy, sponsored by City of London and KPMG, is considered by commentators to be “strikingly contemporary”, and provides an ultra modern learning environment for 1140 students.

The external design reflects a colourful glassy school ribbon, woven through clusters of existing mature trees. The Academy faces the sensitive Clapton Square Conservation area and Grade II listed Sutton House across the street. The design also incorporates ideas from students with regard to the use of colours and space.

The latest environmentally friendly practices were employed with a glass secondary façade to help reduce external noise from heavy traffic along the High Street frontage. It is also rated BREEAM ‘very good’, achieved by the use of renewable energy sources, the orientation of the building to maximise the potential for exploitation of daylight and natural ventilation.

MLM were an integral part of the design and build teams, providing early and proactive guidance on overcoming the conflicts between open, spatial planning, fire safety and access for the disabled.