'Unlocking Potential' at the Percival Whitley Centre

Written by Peter S. Whitlam Associate Director

The 'Unlocking Potential' project creates an innovative Learning Resource Centre at the heart of the College’s campus, providing specialist learning facilities in support of the existing and evolving curricula.

We redeveloped the College’s existing library, formally a theatre, into a contemporary Learning Resource Centre to enable a range of study environments, flexible resources and innovative technologies to support student development. Additionally, two further floors of the building were re-designed to accommodate specialist course requirements including, photography, digital media, advanced engineering, business development, early years tutoring, hospital care and dentistry.

Sector(s)

  • Further Education

Value
£6.5m

Client(s)
Calderdale College

Size
3570m²

Location
Halifax, UK

Design

The interior re-design creates an exciting space to enhance the existing curricula and support the College’s evolving pedagogy. We’ve achieved a flexible and adaptable environment via the introduction of open plan study areas, feature acoustic ceilings and complex lighting schemes to provide a variety of spaces for different forms of study. A greater use of internal glazed partitioning adds to the open and inclusive feel whilst vibrant colours draw attention to key areas framed within carefully selected furniture proposals.

Go to Build

“The 'Unlocking Potential' Project will transform the College and enables delivery of higher skills, including higher level apprenticeships to match training to the particular needs of students and businesses in the Leeds City Region.”

- Denise Cheng-Carter, Vice Principal, Calderdale College

Build

We were appointed to undertake works from RIBA Stages 1 through to 6. Throughout the project we worked closely with the other consultants, specialist designers and the appointed contractor to ensure a smooth delivery of an extremely invasive and complex refurbishment. Additional enhancement of the building includes minor re-roofing and the whole building being fitted with upgraded aluminum windows to improve the thermal efficiency of the building.

The Team

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