Case Study:
Worthing College, Worthing
Contract Name: Worthing College, Worthing
Contract Sum: £30 million
Contract Period: 126 weeks
Architect: GHM Rock Townsend
Client: Worthing College
Project photos
The proposed redevelopment of the Bolsover Road Campus replaced the existing stock of teaching accommodation, much of which was aging temporary classrooms, with a single large block of 13,857m².
Through a competitive tender procurement route, Rydon were selected as the Preferred Contractor just prior to the Learning Skills Council announcing a shortfall in funding. Together with the Client and their design team, a collaborative review of the scheme led to a 15% reduction in the contract sum whilst retaining the core design principles and features of the concept scheme and only minor changes to the overall appearance.
The new ‘Wedge' building was to be developed adjacent to the existing campus, on some of the existing playing fields whilst the College remained fully operational. The construction access was difficult, but made workable through the provision of temporary MUGA pitches that were sited to provide a buffer between the main College site and the construction works. The existing MUGA area was thereby made available for access and staff parking.
The four storey concrete framed building had been carefully designed to build on the success of the specialist Sports College and future proof it for the development of modern teaching methods and expansion. In addition, facilities enabled community use of both teaching spaces and all weather and MUGA sports pitches. A nursery was also to be provided as a separate facility at ground floor level.
Design quality was an important consideration, and the facilities were intended to provide a strong identity creating a truly inspirational building which surpassed current environmental and sustainable standards and regulations.
A BREEAM rating of Very Good was to be achieved by utilising Ground Source Heat Pumps, natural ventilation via Passivent, automated lighting controls and biodiversity roofs to reduce rain water run off and enhance ecological habitats.
Post completion of the new facilities, the existing campus was to be demolished to allow construction of the new permanent access road and parking, and provide land for cross-subsidy via residential redevelopment.
Funding for this scheme was eventually withdrawn, like many others, when the LSC completed a review of their proposed spending against their available budget in July 2009.
