Client: Peter Symonds College
Location: Winchester
Value: £2.6million (total)

This scheme was a three-phase development to upgrade various college facilities and provide new teaching and social spaces.

Phase 1: Summer Refurbishments
Four refurbishment projects involving the Kelso music department, Northbrook Library, Varley Theatre and classrooms and a new Art and Photographic Suite. To minimise disruption the works were undertaken during the summer recess.

Phase 2: John Shields Building
The design brief called for the creation of a stimulating place to learn and teach and also an improvement to the existing way-finding around the campus.

The three-storey building houses 15 classrooms, a shop and staff facilities. It is also used for evening classes and permits clear orientation for first time users.

The plan form is based around an east / west central axis, with classrooms leading off either side, facing north and south. A dramatic staircase, with glazing to its full height, emphasises the entrance and offers striking views over the campus.

The external envelope is split into two main elements. One is a traditional brick façade covering the prominent east / west ‘book-ends' of the building and houses the ancillary spaces. The remainder is finished in insulated render, white to the classrooms, and deep blue to the workrooms.

Phase 3: Sports Café
The project doubled the capacity of the Sports Café by inserting a lightweight metal mezzanine floor within the existing space.

The building is used as a social space but also an examination hall, so the interior is bright without being over-powering.

Externally, a new terrace has been created, covered by a fabric canopy to enable it to be used throughout the year.