Aedas R&D

The study on Darwen Aldridge Community Academy was carried out in October 2011 approximately one year after completion. Building on previous POEs and work with education consultants Aedas developed its own method for seeking feedback about building performance was alongside comments on how the design supports the teaching model and effective learning. Comfort and usability were also a key part of the questionnaire – responses from teaching staff were overwhelmingly positive about access to daylight and excellent visual integration offered by the design. In particular the school has been extremely pleased with the way in which the open atria contribute to flexible but timetabled space and help define the identity of the Academy. The state of the art new building features an entrepreneurship bridge which, along with the atrium, allows the academy to utilise the building as an enterprise centre and anchor building for the local community. Aedas uses the evidence collected through this and other POEs to further the practice’s research into the relationship between energy use, comfort and usability as well as the effect of design on educational outcomes.

Completed in 2010, this landmark education scheme is located in Lancashire town and provides accommodation for 1,000 students aged between 11 – 18 years old and over 150 staff. Conceived as a simple triangular volume it uses the 21m slope to open up access to the town on five levels providing stunning views and reinforcing the two way dialogue between the Academy and the town. Built on a brownfield hillside the building brought improvements in ecology and habitats in the town centre with a large sedum roof and extensive planting along playing surfaces.