Collinson Construction has been appointed to bring to life a new multi-million-pound teaching facility at one of the North of England’s leading colleges.
The Catterall-based firm is set to start work on a new block of 12 classrooms at Runshaw College’s campus off Langdale Road, Leyland in the middle of February.
Built by Collinson’s traditional division, the 1,000 square meter facility will be spread over two storeys and will further bolster teaching space at the college.
The state-of-the-art learning centre will be built to BREEAM very good standards, with Collinson’s team meticulously designing the new facility so that it takes into account energy efficiency and sustainably, as well as reflecting user needs.
Designed sensitively with the rest of its campus in mind, a stone effect finish wall will ensure the building is consistent in character with its surroundings.
Robert Duxbury, managing director of Collinson Construction, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working in partnership with Runshaw College, as well as the professional teams at Day Architectural, Curtins and Magnitude Quantity Surveyors to expand the college’s site provision of first-class teaching space.
“This fantastically designed state-of-the-art space will ensure students are able to gain the academic skills they need to succeed in an outstanding environment. The building will serve the college and its students for many years to come.”
Named the Buttermere block, the building continues the proud Runshaw tradition of naming buildings after parts of the Lake District as a nod to the beautiful ancient woodland that its campus is built within.
As part of the project, the college is set to redesign its car park to make up for the loss in parking space, while an addition 18 spaces will also be added.
The scheme, which was unanimously approved by South Ribble Borough Council’s planning committee last summer, has received finance from the Department for Education’s ‘Post-16 Capacity Fund’.
Clare Russell, Principal & CEO at Runshaw College, added: “We are really proud of our impressive college campus and we constantly invest in our estate to ensure we provide high-quality learning and social spaces, resourced with industry standard equipment and technology.
“Buttermere will meet the needs of our students both now and in the future, ensuring that our beautiful college campus, facilities and resources continue to be outstanding.”
The scheme’s construction is set to take eight months and be completed in October 2022.