Wren Academy, Finchley, London

Client: Wren Academy Trust
Architect: Penoyre & Prasad
Contractor: Roofglaze Ltd
Type of works: supply of Schueco UK’s FW 60+ facade and skylight system.

When architects Penoyre & Prasad were designing the roof of the new £18.5 million Wren Academy in Finchley, north London for the Wren Academy Trust, they were looking to specify a highly engineered system, backed by first-class customer service. As a result, both the low-angle atrium roof and the large rooflights have been constructed using the tried and tested aluminium FW 60+ facade and skylight system from Schueco UK Limited.

Commenting on the decision to specify Schueco, Ian Oppenheim, Senior Architect at Penoyre & Prasad, said: “The large expanse of low-angle roof glazing in the atrium roof required a very reliable system with good sight lines. We have worked very successfully with Schueco previously and they are one of our preferred suppliers, both for the quality of their product and for the support and service they offer.“

The atrium roof and rooflights were installed by Schueco fabricator partner Roofglaze Ltd of St Neots; the whole building, which constitutes the final phase of a seven-year programme of development and refurbishment, was completed in March of this year.

The Wren Academy specialises in construction and the built environment. A stepped roof ensures excellent light distribution and cross-ventilation for the classrooms, while a deliberate emphasis on texture, materials and structure allows the building itself to be used a teaching tool within the curriculum.

The Academy's facilities include a sports hall, a drama space, specialist construction classes, music spaces and flexible teaching areas. Designed-in sustainability features comprise a biomass boiler, a very high degree of insulation and air-tightness, lighting controls, a sedum roof and good daylighting. The scheme was designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of 'Very Good'.