Undertaken whilst working at Building Design Partnership

Milton Keynes Academy

Milton Keynes Academy was the first of the new Academies Framework schemes to achieve planning permission. The academy for 1,550 11 to 18 year olds, specialising in business enterprise, takes students from across the city and beyond.

Practical or vocational spaces are located on the ground floor, visible and celebrated from the welcoming entrance space. The teaching spaces above are arranged into five separate year-based ‘villages’. A large proportion of the area is open-plan with the aim of promoting self-directed learning and a greater mix of small group activities. There is also a strong community aspect to the new academy allowing members of the community use of the facilities.

The academy is naturally ventilated and day lit achieving a Very Good BREEAM rating.