In the context of the Coalition government’s ‘Free School’ initiative we explored faith and education in the East End of London. To begin students proposed an outdoor classroom for community and religious groups that developed from local conversations and engagement. Together with pupils at Krishna Avanti School the unit designed and constructed a tree house classroom.

We considered the notion of ‘school as city’ and made places for learning and play in response to the existing social and urban fabric. Collectively the unit proposed a High Street Academy composed of departments located along Whitechapel High Street.