A stunning new £12million Creative Industries campus for Stourbridge College, designed by leading architectural practice Pick Everard, is underway at Brierley Hill, within an area of major urban regeneration. Scheduled to open in September 2011 the new building replaces the outdated Longlands Campus and will house art and design, fashion, graphics, illustration and digital media courses for over a thousand 16 to 18-year old students.

Pick Everard was first commissioned to devise plans in 2008 for redevelopment of the college's Hagley Road Campus as part of a major Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded renewal scheme involving both Hagley Road and a major new campus development at the Brierley Hill site. Following the LSC's demise, Pick Everard was appointed to develop revised plans for this smaller Brierley Hill project to provide state-of-the-art accommodation for the Creative Industries faculty.

The result is a cutting edge and bold architectural design for a 3,800m² three-storey building which features dramatic angles and a vast frontage. The glass-fronted atrium forms a gallery showcase for exhibiting college sculpture and artwork. Dominating the skyline on the former Brier School site and backing on to the Dudley Canal, the building is set at the front of the site leaving space to for further development as future funding allows. The steel frame is being erected during December by contractor, BAM Construction.

Project associate at Pick Everard is Mike Pole, who has worked closely with Project architect Chong Wong on the Stourbridge plans and said he was "delighted to have been involved in the project which is currently on track for a 'very good' BREEAM rating.

"The building is naturally ventilated where practical, has solar shading where required with the whole envelope insulated to very high standards to minimise energy costs. Most spaces are shallow-plan which affords excellent levels of natural light and ventilation".

"The new building has been designed around a stunning shop-window to the new campus, which we hope will continue to grow. Brierley Hill is currently undergoing considerable urban regeneration and so this campus building will bring a bright new era to life in the area."

Lynette Cutting, Principal at Stourbridge College, said:  "It's really exciting for us to see our new Art & Design Centre taking shape at last. The building has been beautifully designed to maximise potential for showcasing student work and it will, most certainly, be an eye catching addition to the Brierley Hill landscape. This is the first phase in an ongoing refurbishment programme for Stourbridge College to ensure that we are offering students first class facilities as we move into the future."

Pick Everard's award-winning project history in education has included Leicester Grammar School, Madani Academy, Oakham School and Stephenson College. The firm has just completed a brand new sixth form centre for Isle of Wight College and is currently working on a number of education projects across the UK, including Northampton College and Dudley College.