Kensington Aldridge Academy

Location: Kensington, London

Sector: Education

Client: RBKC / Aldridge Foundation

Designs were inspired by the educational vision and the constrained urban location. The building configuration adopts a “ribbon” concept, weaving around existing trees and preserving precious Public Realm.

Facilities are organised over five interacting floors, interconnected through light wells and carefully located double-height spaces, notably the theatre, sports hall and dining areas. Extensive use of roof terraces provides a large proportion of external recreational space. A carefully considered environmental strategy secured an ‘‘Excellent’’ BREEAM rating.

The Academy welcomed its first-year cohort in September 2014 and was opened by the Duchess of Cambridge in January 2015.