Wren Academy

Wren Academy

The Wren Academy, a mixture of refurb and new build on the tight site of an old school building in Finchley has created a dynamic new learning environment for over 800 11 – 16 year olds and 150 post 16 year olds. The academy specialises in the built environment and the design supports the idea of the building as part of the curriculum with an emphasis on materials, transparency and a clearly expressed structure.

  • Wren Academy 1
  • Wren Academy 2

A new Learning Resources Centre forms the focal heart and entrance to the building, with a series of cascading steps bringing users down into the LRC creating an amphitheatre space.

  • Wren Academy 1
  • Wren Academy 2
  • Wren Academy 3

Teaching and learning spaces have been designed around maximum flexibility and adaptability to suit a variety of teaching methods and sizes. An emphasis on openness maximises views through and out of the school. A distinctive profiled roof design provides lofty, well-lit and naturally ventilated classrooms.

  • Wren Academy 1
  • Wren Academy 2
  • Wren Academy 3

A simple, robust materials palette includes sinusoidal aluminium cladding and fair faced blockwork. Sustainability features include a biomass boiler, super insulating, air tightness, lighting controls, good daylighting and a BREEAM rating of Very Good.

  • Wren Academy 1
  • Wren Academy 2
  • Wren Academy 3
  • Wren Academy 1
  • Wren Academy 1
Client
  • Wren Academy Trust
  • London Diocesan Board for Schools
  • Department for Education, Schools Building and Design
Status
Complete
Size m2
8,767
Completion Date
2010
Structural Engineer
  • Buro Happold LLP
M&E Engineer
  • Buro Happold LLP
Landscape Architect
  • Grant Associates