John Madejski Academy, UK.

The new exemplar secondary school is designed to support innovative teaching methods and provide a stimulating physical environment. 

The school comprises four distinct wedge-shaped learning clusters linked together by a covered street or ‘agora’. The agora is covered with an ETFE roof and stainless steel mesh screens. 

DDA developed the concept for the ETFE roof and supporting structure working closely with Wilkinson Eyre. 

The elegant structure produced is formed from a number of curved tubular arches restrained by a network of tie rods. 

The arch and tie system contain the ETFE boundary forces within the roof and minimise the loads applied to the primary supporting structure.