The Practice had previously achieved a planning approval for a new Arts Building on the site in 2017 but funding restrictions prevented the scheme from proceeding.
As the main campus has no spare space for new buildings, either existing ones would need to be demolished to make way or more radical locations would need to be considered. A feasibility study was undertaken to identify potential sites and discussed with the local authority before the location was chosen.
A further funding application was submitted and proved successful for a new 12 classroom block. There was no specific Faculty user at briefing stage, so the building is designed to meet the requirements of the vast majority of the various college departments.
The site was challenging due to its proximity to the southern boundary and the level difference of 2.5m across the site. The design responds to the slope by cutting into it at one end and raising slightly at the other in order to balance the height of the building when viewed from the south compared with the environmental and financial cost of removing soil.
The building plan is arranged simply with classrooms facing east and west to the sides, either side of a central corridor. Toilets, offices and ancillary accommodation are grouped together to the north, adjacent the entrance.
Materials are chosen to reflect the colouration of the existing nearby houses and campus in general, with red masonry and small areas of render to highlight the entrance and to create rhythm to the east and west elevations. Vertical and horizontal sun shades reduce over-heating and also to prevent overlooking towards the neighbours.
The flat roof contains photovoltaic panels to provide electricity for the building which achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating.
The building acts as a trigger to enable future development within the college to be undertaken in a structed manner and greatly reduce the requirement for temporary accommodation.