Construction Skills School / EBBA

Architects: EBBA
Area: 2100 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: James Retief
City: London
Country: England

The Olympic Park Construction Skills Centre, a pioneering educational facility designed by EBBA in collaboration with the London Legacy Development Corporation, CITB, and TFL, was completed in the summer of 2021 in London. This project introduces an innovative approach to practical education and training in the construction industry, enabling local residents to gain hands-on skills essential for their professional development. The design includes environmentally sustainable cladding for three classroom blocks and strategic landscaping that enhances the site’s connectivity to Hackney Wick.

EBBA has collaborated with the London Legacy Development Corporation to create a Construction Skills Learning Centre in the Olympic Park. Working with CITB and TFL, the school offers sponsored education and training in construction skills. The first phase of this initiative was completed in the summer of 2021. EBBA was instrumental in delivering this public scheme, which will be managed by the Construction Industry Training Board and the Skills Centre and is expected to operate for the next four years, imparting practical skills to the local community.

The project brief required a creative and sustainable approach to cladding three classroom blocks, constructed in two stages. The design needed to be low-maintenance and adaptable enough to incorporate repurposed cabins that were donated to the project. The brief also included the development of the site’s landscaping and boundary treatments at this park entrance, enhancing the approach from Hackney Wick.

The goal was to establish an engaging facade that offers glimpses into the activities within the construction skills center, while also designing a structure that adapts to the evolving surroundings. A distinct visual style marks the boundary and softens the transition from the industrial north to the scenic canal pathways.

EBBA aimed to produce vibrant architecture that mirrors the dynamic nature of its users. Leveraging their expertise in economical project execution, they developed a method to achieve refined outcomes using straightforward resources. For EBBA, it’s crucial to carefully design all types of buildings, including temporary ones, as they play a key role in area development and enhance user experience.

The project’s success lies in forging a distinct identity for the site that embodies the concept of creation, linking directly to the school’s educational focus. The design was intended to make the assembly process visible, fostering a connection with the act of making. EBBA’s role included creating large-scale models and prototypes, ensuring the project stayed within budget, and collaborating with skilled craftsmen to bring the design to fruition.

The designed framework and screens effortlessly cover the cabin exteriors, providing clarity and cohesion in appearance. This modular system accommodates various window placements across the cabins and allows for quick installation.

Furthermore, the site layout organizes the buildings into a coherent cluster, visible from multiple perspectives. A playful array of screen densities varies between open and closed, depending on their orientation, which conserves materials on courtyard-facing facades. The overarching aim was to establish a temporary structure that could be easily dismantled, recycled, and repurposed post-use.