John Madejski Academy

• Location:

  Reading UK

• Site Area:

  5 Hectares

• Client:

  Department for Education & Skills

• Architects:

  Wilkinson Eyre Architects
  Broadway Malayan

• Engineers:

  Arup
  Buro Happold

• Quantity Surveyors:

  Davis Langdon

• Project value:

  £21 million

In designing the landscape for this 1150-pupil academy, the aim was to integrate the inside and outside worlds to create an uplifting and functional environment for pupils, parents and the local community.

At the heart of the school is The Agora – a covered, unheated, internal space. A variety of materials and furniture make it a versatile area for sitting, informal teaching, exhibitions and events.

The Mound encloses outdoor teaching and social areas. It is partially planted with fruit and nut trees and edged with grass for children to sit on, and contains seating enclosures as well as a terraced area for outdoor performances.

A sinuous swale – the Ha-ha – has been planted with reeds and irises to provide an educational wildlife resource, and hard surfaces in the outdoor learning and social spaces are interspersed with tree copses and gardens.

Provision for exercise and recreation includes a multi-use games area and The Dash – an activity and agility trail linking the main school building with the new sports centre.