We started work with a detailed familiarisation and review of the initial design, paying particular attention to space utilisation, and were successful in making a number of significant improvements to the internal layout of the building.

The team was then asked to review the external appearance of the building, paying particular attention to the choice of external materials and main entrance designs, working to fulfil the client's aspiration for a "landmark building with significant kerbside appeal".

Internally we saw an opportunity to create a flexible, dramatic and colourful environment; this is typified by the central atrium which not only serves as a social hub and informal learning space, from which all areas of the building can be accessed, but also provides an exciting experience for building users, be they passing through, using the training restaurant, theatre, commercial hair and beauty salons, or just chilling out in the spacious ground floor refectory area.

The college's reputation as one of the country's leading sports academies was further enhanced by the introduction of a new 500 seat sports facility, capable of hosting televised sporting events, and the addition of a new state of the art, all-weather football pitch similar to the ones used by premiership clubs.