ADP was appointed by Coulsdon College to replace the existing main building as part of the redevelopment of the campus. The existing building, built in the early 1930s with ‘wing’ additions throughout the 1970s, was inefficient; the corridors were too narrow and, in general, the building was inflexible and not easily adaptable.In developing the brief with the client, we established that the new facilities should be stimulating, durable, transparent, spacious, light, secure, quiet, maintainable, sustainable and adaptable to changing curriculum needs. The new building comprises two wings of teaching accommodation linked across a central atrium, which provides flexibility for future needs. Each area of curriculum has its own centralised hub with a central staff base, and its own resource area.The design of the building promotes communications between different spaces through shared resource areas and creating visual links across the college. The atrium houses areas for eating, break-out, display and open access to the learning resource facilities.This development was phased to enable the college to remain in use throughout construction. A high level of organisation and clear communication with the client, the design team and the contractor was required to ensure that disruption to adjacent sites was kept to a minimum and to maintain health and safety regulations on the site itself. The new building was handed over to the client three months ahead of schedule and on budget.
View Original