Pictured above: (l-r) Derby College Principal David Croll;
Head of Faculty Eileen Swan; Cllr Carol Hart and College Director
of Enterprise and Innovation Louise Curd
A brand new £1million classroom block designed by Pick
Everard for Derby College has opened at its Broomfield Hall campus
after just 24 weeks in construction. This timber-framed,
stone-fronted building has been built using the latest sustainable
materials and methods by Derby-based contractor G F Tomlinson.
The two-storey Chatsworth block has eight Wifi-enabled
classrooms, two laboratories and forms a key part of the
development plan at the Broomfield Hall site, the county's centre
specialising in land-based education. Land-based studies there
include agriculture, horticulture, equine, arboriculture,
floristry, animal care and countryside management; these latest
facilities will enable the college to offer a wider range of
subjects.
Paul Rothera, Project Director at Pick Everard explained that
the timber frame and prefabricated timber panels allowed for a very
fast construction timetable, full compliance with Building Bulletin
93 acoustic requirements, and an economical build cost. He
explains, "This project is a good example of the way in which
schools and colleges have to look very hard at reducing expenses
through energy-efficiency and environmentally friendly design and
construction. By working closely with Derby College and the
contractor to agree what the priorities were, the build costs per
square metre have been reduced by about 30%. We've not compromised
acoustic standards, have a naturally-ventilated building and by
being very rigorous in terms of the specification, we achieved a
square metre construction cost of less than £1000."
The new block was officially opened by Councillor Carol Hart,
local Derbyshire County Councillor and Cabinet Member for
Communities. (May 11)
Derby College Director of Enterprise and Innovation Louise Curd
said, "In keeping with the beauty of Broomfield Hall and our desire
to drive forward environmentally friendly practices in the local
economy, we have worked closely with our construction partners to
use sustainable materials and construction methods. This enabled
the whole project to be completed in just 24 weeks and has resulted
in a building that is totally in keeping with the local environment
and will provide first class facilities for students for many years
to come."
Following the completion of the new classroom block, Derby
College has appointed Pick Everard to design its new Equine Centre.
This project will be delivered in two phases with the first to
include an indoor arena and second phase to include welfare
facilities, classroom accommodation and spectator area, all to
British Horse Society (BHS) standards.
Pick Everard is currently working on a number of major school
and college projects across the UK including Northampton College,
Dudley College, Stourbridge Campus and recently completed a brand
new sixth form centre for Isle of Wight College. The practice has
renowned expertise in educational construction and an award-winning
project history including Stephenson College, Madani High School,
Oakham School, Derby High School and Leicester Grammar School.