Langley Academy, Slough

The Langley Academy is an exemplar of sustainable design, a theme which is showcased by the building itself. The Academy’s curriculum highlights rowing, cricket and science and is the first academy to specialise in museum learning. As well as running its own museum, ancient artefacts and objects are brought into the classroom to spark questions, debate, analysis and provide connections across the curriculum. The scheme also provides unparalleled access to significant cultural institutions across the country, involving hundreds of students.

With an enclosed full-height atrium at the heart of the three-storey building, the social life of the school revolves around this assembly space for 1,100 students. A recurrent element in several other of Foster + Partners’ academy buildings, the atrium is defined by a sense of transparency and openness – like a gallery of learning – which in this case also resonates with the museum theme. Inside the atrium there are three yellow drums raised above the floor on circular columns. These two-storey pods house the Academy’s ten science laboratories, reinforcing the importance of science teaching. A dedicated sports and culture block contains specialist facilities for music and drama including a fully equipped theatre, a TV and sound recording studio, soundproofed practice rooms and a rehearsal space, sports hall and lecture theatre. The academy’s two light and airy covered streets extend from the atrium and are lined with 38 classrooms.

The environmental features save 20% in water consumption and approximately 150 tonnes of CO2 per year compared to a traditional academy and are used in the teaching of science and environmental issues. Students can see the solar collectors on the roof and the workings of the exposed plant room, as well as the network of pipes that illustrate how energy is generated and carried through the building. Rain water is collected and stored and grey water filtered for reuse in sanitation and irrigation; a system of horizontal louvers provides shade; and the building has been configured to allow out-of-hours use by the wider community, ensuring its sustainability over time. Foster + Partners and Buro Happold collaborated on the environmental design.

Client: Arbib Foundation (Sponsor), Department for Education and Skills, Langley Academy Trust
Consultants: Buro Happold, Davis Langdon, Buro Happold, Buro Happold, Davis Langdon Schumann Smith, FEDRA, Sandy Brown