An ambitious project creating a state of the art learning environment in the centre of Darlington. The bold and innovative design creates a modern iconic building forming the anchor development of Central Park regeneration project.
Awards
RIBA - Further Education Design Excellence Highly Commended Award
The new 20,000 sq.m college is an iconic building forming the anchor development of the wider Central Park regeneration project. The glazed hub accommodates a range of services where students can readily access information, advice and guidance, a food court and contemporary restaurant, shop and printing services and the learning resource centre, hairdressing and beauty salons.
The college offers vocational courses in Media, Catering, Hair & Beauty, Engineering, Construction, Motor Vehicle Engineering and Sports Science, as well as academic courses provided by the 6th Form College and Higher Education Centre. Our space planning experience enabled the team to produce a design that satisfied the curriculum model, the brief and overcome the demands of a difficult site. The hub responds to the urban grain of the approach to the college it works as a reference and an acoustic buffer – internally it is the central focus linking LRC, Central Services, Bistro and Student Services within a day lit three storey galleried atria.
