Like many academies, this new building represents a fresh start for a school in an area which has suffered in the past from under funding and exhibits the typical problems of anti-social behaviour and poor local perception associated with deprived urban areas.
The landscape of Paddington academy reflects the schools focus on performing arts and aims to create a playful environment which facilitates the curriculum on offer whilst offering flexibility of use. A large amphitheatre at the rear of the sports hall provides an outdoor performance space and doubles as seating during break times. Its dynamic flared form visually reflects the creativity the new school hopes to nurture in its future pupils. Roof terraces extend the surrounding classrooms, providing seating to allow for informal teaching and a series of plinths for the display of pupils artworks.
Three defined areas with brightly coloured Perspex canopies and trees provide the focus of the external area and allow for informal seating in small groups. A contemporary interpretation of the iron railings of the surrounding Victorian terraces was designed for the street boundaries. The traditional vertical rails have notches cut into the front of them in a geometric pattern which reflects the façade treatments of the building.
Due to the positioning of the games area it was necessary to consult with the residents of the surrounding streets. A series of meeting with them helped to inform the height and type of fences and the planting along the boundary, and to mitigate their concerns regarding noise, the overlooking of houses and gardens, and balls being lost over fences.
