London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts, West London by Niall McLaughlin
The Academy is sandwiched into a site between a busy west London road and a tube line and the architects explain that ‘the site’s position presents considerable problems for a teaching environment, including traffic noise, railway noise and pollution. At the same time, it is an extraordinarily high profile location with great visibility. The practice has designed an inexpensive building that relishes the gritty urban qualities of its location and provides robust, calm spaces for learning.’