We were appointed by Southampton City College to provide full architectural services for this sustainable redevelopment, which included new-build and remodelled buildings. The new facilities have seen the refurbishment of existing buildings including the College theatre, the demolition of two blocks, the creation of a central student “Hub”, new training buildings, a new restaurant and hair & beauty salons which will are open to the public.

Situated in the City Centre, the site is considered archaeologically sensitive and covers approximately seven acres with 28,000 square metres of new, refurbished and modern buildings together with a former Victorian workhouse. The site includes one Grade II Listed Building and the former workhouse is Locally Listed. St Mary’s Church is also Grade II Listed and the College campus forms an important part of the setting to the church. Therefore, sensitivity to the local context was a key aim of the project, the masterplan has improved the urban realm around the College by opening a vista of St Mary’s Church across a new landscaped frontage, while the new Hub enhanced the college’s ability to accommodate community activities.

The existing brickwork and glazing was stripped back to the structural concrete frame, and replaced with new materials to provide an insulated building envelope to modern standards. The refurbishment was also designed to meet the aspirations of the project in terms of low-energy design. Natural day-lighting was maximised and ventilation improved by use of opening windows and ventilation shafts cut through the existing structure. City College in Southampton has been rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ for both the new-build and remodelled buildings, one of only a handful of education projects to achieve this status.