Kier increases education provision in East London with completion of Passivhaus school in Tower Hamlets

Kier has completed Mulberry Academy London Dock and has handed it over to London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The new energy efficient 11 - 19 co-educational comprehensive school is situated in the London Dock residential complex and provides 1150 new spaces for local students. It is partly funded by the Department for Education and will be managed by the Mulberry Schools Trust.

Designed by Architype to Passivhaus standards, the building is designed to maximise heat and energy conservation, having a lower impact on the environment and saving on energy bills. Features include enhanced insulation, air source heat pumps and south-facing design that promotes natural light and improves air quality by enhancing the flow of fresh air throughout the building.

This first-class educational facility includes bright classrooms with interactive screens and specialist suites for dance, art and science. It also has considerable green space with extensive facilities for sports and leisure that are also available for the local community to use after school hours. Students will benefit from flexible learning spaces, a roof terrace, a games court and external recreational areas.

"We are thrilled to see the completion of London Dock, a vital new education facility in Tower Hamlets that will serve our young people and the community for generations to come. We are committed to investing in the future of young people in our borough, and this cutting-edge school is an important milestone in ensuring a world-class educational provision.

By creating inclusive spaces that support academic excellence and foster community engagement, we're building a brighter future for all of our residents."

Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning

"We are delighted to join with Kier to mark the Practical Completion of Mulberry Academy London Dock, a new school designed to serve the Wapping community, which opened in September 2024 with its inaugural Year 7 cohort. This school reflects our commitment to ensuring outstanding achievement for all and it will be a central part of the community. Our successful partnerships with Kier, Tower Hamlets Council and the Department for Education have been vital in realising this vision, and we are excited to see how our exceptional new school will support the growth and development of young people and the local area for years to come."

Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE, CEO for Mulberry Schools Trust

"We are proud to have delivered Mulberry Academy London Dock for London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the Mulberry Schools Trust. This flagship Passivhaus school in London creates a low carbon building and a healthy environment for the students, teachers and local community.

This school builds on Kier's experience working on Passivhaus projects, having delivered seven for communities across the UK."

David Rowsell, managing director for Kier Construction London

"We are excited that Mulberry Academy London Docks has opened its doors to teachers, students, and the local community. Bringing this state-of-the-art, Passivhaus-designed school and urban landscape to life on a compact site in central London was a major challenge, and is a testament to the dedication of the entire design and construction teams, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and the Mulberry Academy Trust. The school offers a beautiful and welcoming learning environment, filled with fresh air, natural light, natural materials, and surrounded by greenery.

Ultimately, we hope that Mulberry Academy will become a civic beacon in Tower Hamlets, making a positive impact on the community and its students."

Rory Martin, Senior Architect for Architype Ltd

The school opened initially in 2024 with only Year 7 students, and will grow one year at a time, until it is full in 2029.

Kier is a proud patron of the Passivhaus Trust and has delivered seven certified Passivhaus projects including the Bicester Eco Business Centre, the first non-domestic Passivhaus Plus building certified in the UK; and the award winning St Sidwell's Point in Exeter, the UK's first Passivhaus leisure centre.