US Air Force Schools

The practice has developed a series of education projects for the United States Air Force across UK bases, including elementary, middle and high school facilities.

These projects replace dispersed and outdated buildings with cohesive, contemporary learning environments designed around 21st-century education principles. Flexible teaching spaces, breakout areas and shared learning hubs allow a range of group sizes and teaching methods to be accommodated.

At RAF Feltwell, a new elementary school for 400 pupils is organised around a central commons space, with the new building wrapping around retained structures to create a unified campus. Deep-plan areas are brought to life through rooflights and internal voids, ensuring high levels of natural daylight.  

At Lakenheath and Alconbury, the work extends this approach at a larger scale – introducing more flexible planning models that challenge traditionally rigid USAF education specifications. These schemes explore how more open, adaptable environments can support both improved learning outcomes and a better overall school experience.

Collectively, the projects represent a shift towards more progressive education design within the constraints of highly structured briefing environments.