BDP will design the new Abraham Darby Sport & Learning Academy at Ironbridge in Telford, as part of the Telford BSF project.

The multidisciplinary practice has been appointed as architect, landscape architect, civil and structural engineer, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineer, lighting designer and acoustic consultant. The building will be submitted for planning at the start of November, with start on site planned for March 2010.

BDP design for Telford & Wrekin Academy
BDP design for Telford & Wrekin Academy

The design combines a 1050-place Academy with a 420-place primary school and a community leisure centre. The project is to be built on a sloping site at the gateway to the Ironbridge World Heritage Site.

BDP claims the design has been developed to the “highest environmental standards” including sustainable features such as on site CHP generation and an anaerobic digester for organic waste. The project is expected to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating and generate a 64% carbon reduction over current Part L2 requirements.