Proud to be on Site: Education

We currently have a number of education jobs on site that are progressing nicely, and we thought now might be a wonderful time to share with you what these projects are about and how they are getting on.

Barnsley IOT 

Situated within Barnsley town centre's conservation area, we are designing a new Institute of Technology facility that is to be created within Barnsley College to provide dedicated specialist learning spaces for a range of courses within engineering, manufacturing, and construction. The designs involve refurbishment works including the creation of a new atrium and central hub space, new mezzanine floors, finishes throughout IoT spaces, heating and hot water system replacement, and electrical upgrades. The central hub space will link the two buildings that form the campus building - with the new atrium forming a social heart for the facililty, with cafe and flexible learning areas for private and group study.

Collaboration is at the heart of the ethos of the Institute of Technology and the new atrium will provide not only connection to the specialist IoT teaching facilities, but also bespoke areas for flexible and collaborative learning.

The existing external windows and brick walls will be retained and remain exposed internally. External alterations will see the existing main east and south entrances sensitively improved in recognition of the historical significance of the building, and accessibility will be brought up to date.

On-site work is progressing nicely by main contractor GF Tomlinson, and the atrium’s steel frame is currently being installed.

Loughborough IOT 

Race Cottam Associates are delivering a new dedicated facility to support Loughborough University’s new Institute of Technology. Developed in collaboration with the University of Loughborough, the proposed new IoT facility is a critical part of the vision to support the development of higher-level technical skills focused on the needs of the industry.

With an internal floor area of over 1450m² , the new centre will house a wide range of specialist laboratories and computing suites, supporting a wide range of engineering disciplines with an emphasis on sustainable engineering practice. These new facilities will be supported by a number of flexible teaching and seminar spaces.

An essential part of the Institute of Technology’s ethos is to foster innovative teaching and learning, providing interdisciplinary working and engagement with industry and employer partners. To help in this self-guided study collaboration space will also be provided.

Main Contractor Lindum started on site in January and the project's completion is due March 2025.

Sheffield College 

The new extension to the Advanced Technology Centre at The Sheffield College’s Olive Grove building will enable the college to offer a range of new courses. The building currently accommodates the Advanced Technology Centre, which includes motor vehicle maintenance, plumbing, engineering, and welding alongside IT and general teaching accommodation. The design creates additional workshop spaces to accommodate new courses in electric vehicles as well as reconfiguration of the atrium and the existing learning resource centre to create a more flexible, learning-focused environment. A new main entrance has also been designed as part of the project, including large expanses of glazing to showcase the learning that takes place throughout the college. This change to the entrance enables the existing entrance area to be repurposed to provide a secure external social area under the existing building cantilever, providing secure and sheltered outdoor space for the students.

The first phase of the building, constructed by Robertson has been handed over for the start of the new academic year.