London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham

Reimagining learning spaces with minimal environmental impact

A creative interior re-use and low-carbon remodelling project, delivering new teaching, study and support spaces for an expanding sixth form in north London.

Located within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complex, LAE Tottenham occupies part of a mixed-use office building in one of London’s most deprived areas. With growing student numbers, the College required a reconfiguration of its existing floorspace to create additional classrooms, study areas, and staff support zones – all with a minimal carbon footprint.

We worked closely with the College to design and deliver a pragmatic, low-impact retrofit that prioritised re-use, flexibility and careful resource management.

A Collaborative Approach to Re-use

We undertook extensive site analysis, studying the building’s existing systems, fabric and flow to identify opportunities for low-impact reconfiguration. Every proposed intervention was tested against three criteria:

  • Suitability for intended use

  • Future flexibility

  • Balance of new versus retained fabric

Loosely planned spaces were reorganised into defined suites, including a new library, study areas, classrooms, a music suite and staff facilities – all fitted within the original floorplates. Net-to-gross ratios were optimised to maximise usable space without increasing the building’s footprint.

People walking down a corridor in an office building, with one person in a navy blazer and a woman with long blonde hair. To the right, there is a glass-walled conference room with chairs and tables inside. The ceiling has exposed pipes and lighting.

Working Hard to Reduce Carbon

In every area marked for remodelling, finishes and components were assessed for re-use. Where demolition was required, the design adapted to retain and integrate existing elements – significantly reducing embodied carbon.

Key servicing strategies included:

  • Rebalancing the existing ventilation system to improve efficiency without expanding plant

  • Reusing ductwork, fans and acoustic attenuators possible

  • Installing LED lighting with new automatic controls to reduce operational energy use

Only Adding Where Needed

Where new materials were required, these were chosen for their sustainability credentials – with durability, longevity and low embodied carbon as key selection criteria.

  • Linoleum was used in high-traffic areas for resilience and ease of maintenance – offering an ultra-low carbon alternative to vinyl flooring

  • Plywood cladding defines the new library entrance and reduces long-term repainting cycles

  • In zones where floor or ceiling finishes were disrupted, only the affected sections were replaced – avoiding unnecessary waste and preserving hundreds of square metres of material

  • A bold, playful paint scheme refreshes the space using existing and new surfaces – lifting the interiors without wholesale replacement and reducing the area of repainting needed

The project is a clear example of what can be achieved through close collaboration and detailed design thinking. By working carefully with what was already there, the team maximised re-use, minimised waste and embodied carbon, and delivered a more sustainable and adaptable learning environment for the future.

RE-USED COMPONENTS & FINISHES

66sqm of internal glazed partitions and doors

100sqm+ of vinyl flooring and carpet tiles

102sqm acoustic panels 

29 heater batteries, fans, attenuators and vent grilles

28 feature light fittings

31 sanitaryware fixtures and fittings 

550sqm of flooring

250sqm of plasterboard and ceiling tiles 

Interior of a modern library with white walls and ceiling, illuminated by cloud-shaped pendant lights. Bookshelves are filled with books, and there are tables and chairs for reading and browsing. Three people are browsing the shelves and a librarian is assisting a visitor.
Modern office space with an open layout, featuring a white bookshelf, a row of black chairs, and hanging light fixtures, with exposed ceilings and a corridor with a yellow accent wall.
View of a modern library or community space with yellow walls, glass doors, hanging lights, bookshelves, and people reading and working inside.
Interior view of a modern library with students studying and browsing books, ceiling with decorative lighting and exposed ductwork.
Interior of a modern office space with an open ceiling showing ductwork, a staircase with a blue railing, and a colorful circular sofa with plants. Four blurred people are walking and standing near a glass-walled meeting room.

“Working with Lyall Bills & Young has been a real pleasure — they listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and have delivered designs that are not only beautiful but work brilliantly in practice.”

Paul Martin, Business Manager, LAE Tottenham

Quote…

Floor plan of a large building with various rooms and hallways, shaded in light blue, including two large open areas in the center.
  • Group of young people practicing music in a well-lit room with large windows, featuring a piano, drums, and a guitar case.
  • A modern office or classroom space with multiple blue and black chairs and cubicles, several people seated and standing, and a large window with blinds on the right side.
  • Students attending a class in a modern classroom, sitting at desks with laptops and notebooks, with a teacher at the front near a large screen displaying a presentation.
  • Empty classroom with tables, chairs, a large TV, and colorful decorations on the windows.

The details

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Client: London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham
Location: North London
Completion: 2023
Building Type: Sixth Form College Retrofit
Contractor: Crestel Projects
Value: £1m

Photography: Morley von Sternberg

APPROACH & INFLUENCE

Project Type: Interior adaptation for education

Design Approach: Low-carbon re-use, spatial optimisation, embedded flexibility

LINKS

www.laetottenham.ac.uk

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