The Westminster Academy is a new secondary school in West London, housing 1175 pupils and 128 staff members. The sponsor, Exilarch Foundation and the Principal had a powerful vision of learning for the school that embraces the latest thinking in education and the ideals of the RSA Curriculum of the 21st century. The core values of the Academy are Enterprise, Global Citizenship and Communication delivered through a flexible and responsive learning framework that gives pupils individual responsibility for their education and encourages team working by both staff and pupils.
In response to this clear and progressive brief, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris have created a building that draws upon the extensive and varied experience of their practice in a range of sectors. The driving idea was to create a learning environment that inspired creativity and enabled connectivity and flexibility. This approach seeks to create a completely different learning environment – one that raises expectations in terms of what this might mean in the 21st century.
Awards
- 2010 AIA Award for Architecture
- 2009 Building Magazine - Public Building Project of the Year
- 2009 Civic Trust Award
- 2008 BCSE Industry Award for Inspiring Design
- 2008 Best Incorporation of Daylight Award
- 2008 Design Share Citation Award
- 2008 Design Week Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics Award
- 2008 RIBA Award for Architecture
- 2008 RIBA National Award for Architecture
- 2008 RIBA Sorrell Foundation School Award
- 2008 RIBA Stirling Prize - Shortlist
- 2008 RIBA The London Building of the Year Award
- 2007 Specialist Schools & Academies Trust Future Vision Award
Exhibitions
- 2012 Chromazone
- 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture
- 2011 50 Years of London Architecture
- 2010 50 Years of London Architecture
- 2009 Brit Insurance Designs of the Year
- 2009 London Calling - Urban Renovation
- 2008 New London Architecture Centre, London
- 2008 Architecture Now
- 2007 London’s Learning
2007
Location
Westminster, London
Cost
£27.8 Million
Client
Westminster Academy, Westminster City Council, DCSF and Exilarch Foundation
