AHR to extend academy in North Manchester

Planning permission has been granted for the new £15m extension to the Co-operative Academy in Blackley, designed by AHR.

The plans propose a two-storey extension connecting to the existing academy. This will increase the academy’s 900 student capacity to 1,500 pupils.

AHR Coop Academy Manchester

A new double height student entrance and foyer will serve as a new reception area. Community facilities, such as a 300-seat theatre, library, art studios, gym and climbing wall will be accessed from the foyer. The curved theatre wall, featuring a hive motif, provides a focal point within the new building.

A café will be set into the theatre wall, serving lunch to students and providing out-of-hours refreshments to visitors. It will also work as a box office for the theatre and a reception area to manage the various other facilities.

The elevations contrast with the existing building with metre-deep brick reveals repeating across a double height module. Ventilation has been integrated into the brick motif and tall glazing to each classroom ensures there are good levels of natural lighting for all teaching spaces.

Robert Hopkins, regional director of AHR, said: “The proposal demonstrates a real commitment from the trust to help address the pupil place issue in Manchester and also shows a real commitment to the arts with a stunning new theatre venue.”

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below