Client HAHC Education Ltd.
Location London, UK
Status Built
Awards
2008 Civic Trust Award - Commended
Haberdashers’ Aske’s Knights Academy specialises in sports science and is united with the existing Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College in New Cross as part of the Federation of Academies. The new building transformed the three hectare site of the former Malory School, replacing the 1950s school premises. The new sweeping curvilinear building was carefully positioned in the centre of the site to ensure the design provided the maximum amount of external space for all weather sports pitches and external play areas.
The community atmosphere of the academy was enhanced by the creation of a forum space with a circulation hub, place for exhibitions, informal meetings and social activities as the central focus and heart of the school.
The forum also contains a large scissor stair that allows efficient transition spaces between the main teaching corridors. The materials were carefully considered. Acrylic render was chosen for the walls and engineering brick at low level, whilst the long elevations of the curvilinear building were enlivened with alternating warm blue curtain walling glass panels. The west elevation features a prominent array of elegant solar shading which protects the west facing classrooms from afternoon solar gain, creating a rhythm layering effect to the façade behind.
