4 January 2008
Iconic Isle of Wight College on course for 21st century
Multi-disciplinary design practice Pick Everard has been awarded a contract to design a new £60million Isle of Wight College. With an award-winning track record in the further education sector, Pick Everard’s architectural approach will be to create an iconic, sustainable college building with real ‘wow’ factor that will attract international architectural interest, make the college appealing to students and staff in an increasingly competitive market and will act as a catalyst for regeneration and inward investment to the island.
Originally built in 1951 to teach construction and engineering, the college currently offers a range of Further Education courses, with a strong emphasis on vocational training. The new buildings will form a hub from which the college will offer a range of education and training provision including Higher Education, academic provision, a business centre as well as traditional vocational activity which will strengthen links with the South Coast economy.
Pick Everard has now successfully completed a programme of intensive consultation with staff, students, governors and the local community to ensure that the new college is designed to truly reflect their needs and aspirations. Sustainability emerged from these discussions as a top priority as did the need to incorporate more informal social spaces for small groups to meet and the need for flexible teaching spaces. Priorities for the look and feel of the college included a very prominent and striking entrance; use of glass to create airy, light spaces and a stronger link between internal and external elements - a much more open feel overall and very different from the more traditional corridors and walls. Some commercially orientated courses such as catering and hair and beauty will also be given a retail frontage for the benefit of the wider community.
Pick Everard will use its considerable environmental expertise to design buildings that will be cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Environmental manager at Pick Everard Andrew Bannister says,” The building will be designed using the latest dynamic thermal modelling to make sure that heating, lighting and ventilation systems use as little energy as possible. Low carbon energy sources such as heat pumps and solar thermal systems are being considered, as well as green construction materials like timber, lime and recycled concrete substitutes. This is an opportunity for the Isle of Wight to gain a showcase of affordable environmental excellence.”
College Principal, Debbie Lavin commented, “I am very excited by this opportunity to develop a 21st century learning environment for both the College and Island people and look forward to working with Pick Everard in realising this ambition.
Architect and Pick Everard partner Tom Allen comments: “At Pick Everard our focus is to design facilities which truly reflect the aspirations of all stakeholders. We have an unique opportunity to not only do this but also to provide a beacon for exemplary learning on the island well into the 21st century.”
Submission for outline planning approval will take place later this month. Approval will also be sought from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which will also provide substantial funding for the project. Submission for full planning permission is planned for July 2008 with expected completion in September 2010. Construction will be phased to minimise disruption to learning.
Project Team:
Pick Everard - Architecture, civil/structural & M&E engineering
Nisbet - Quantity Surveying and CDM co-ordination
Tribal - Project management
FE - Associates Financial and funding advice
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