Sustainable features of new academy are on the curriculum
Langley Academy, designed by Buro Happold and Foster + Partners, is an exemplar of sustainable design and was recently opened by Sir Matthew Pinsent, CBE, winner of four Olympic gold medals for rowing. It is the first academy to specialise in museum learning, and it also highlights rowing, cricket and science in its curriculum.
There is an enclosed full-height atrium at the heart of the 3-storey building. The social life of the school revolves around this assembly space for 1100 students.
A host of environmental features combine to save 20% in water consumption and about 150 t of CO2 a year compared to a traditional academy. They 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 is filtered for reuse in sanitation and irrigation. A system of horizontal louvres provides shade.
