The Harefield Academy

Architect: Aedas
Type of works: design and manufacture of a steel structure with ETFE air pillows for use as a dry training facility.

The Harefield Academy, a school for children between the ages of 11 and 18, wanted a dry training facility that would allow students to train year-round during inclement weather. Novum worked very closely with the architect during the design process to develop a concept that would meet the client’s vision, budget and light transmission requirements. Insulation was not a consideration, so Novum proposed a steel structure covered by two layer, ETFE air filled pillows. The top ETFE layer of each pillow features a White screen print which diffuses natural light onto the field below

AES curved, mild-steel beams that are media blasted, primed and liquid painted support the air filled pillow profiles. AFP aluminium profiles with an anodized finish hold two-layer ETFE pillows in place.