The Capital City Academy, located in the London Borough of Brent, is a replacement for Willesden High School. The 10,500m² facility provides secondary school education, with a special interest in sports, drama and music. The Department of Education and Skills (DfES) looked to Buro Happold to provide a cost-effective, innovative solution which would offer value for money and a design that promoted greater diversity and a radical approach to learning.

This objective to create a stimulating teaching environment was taken into account when creating the engineering solutions to the building design. The building is in linear form, to minimise the loss of playing field area, and provides links to Willesden Sports Centre. Classrooms are arranged on either side of an internal day-lit street within the building.

Date: 2001 - 2003