Manchester Communications Academy

The new build Communication Academy opened in September 2010 and offers students access to the fast-moving world of digital communications and information communication technology in a new purpose-built facility.

The academy sponsors: British Telecom and Manchester College, wanted to create an environment where communication skills were encouraged through the formal curriculum and socialising spaces for the academy’s 1200 11-16 year olds plus 120 post 16 students.  Plincke responded to the brief by providing a range of ‘meeting situations’ from formal seating, outdoor performance areas, and more casual clusters of seating walls and benches.  A variety of materials and strong colour were introduced into the outdoor spaces to challenge the assumption that black tarmac is the only choice.