Sheppard Robson unveils Hale Barns college design

21 Jan 2010, 11:07

Architecture practice Sheppard Robson is preparing to submit a planning application for the £20m St Ambrose Voluntary Aided College in Trafford for Balfour Beatty.

Sheppard Robson's design features a central area that includes the chapel, dining, social and assembly areas. Cantilevering platforms on the upper levels support staff areas, library and ICT areas. The central space is visible at all points within the school, and all teaching areas are accessed directly from this space, shelving the need for internal corridors.

Tony O'Brien, design director at Sheppard Robson, said: "Our primary considerations when designing St Ambrose were to provide a high performance school with cutting edge teaching facilities, and to ensure that the building reflects the schools catholic faith, expressing a strong sense of community.

"St Ambrose is comprised of four houses, with each student allocated a house for the duration of their time at the school, reinforcing this sense of community not just in the physical appearance of the school, but also in the way it operates."

St Ambrose will also boast sports facilities, with the sports hall suspended over the swimming pool.

The building is expected to be submitted for planning permission in May 2010, with completion in 2011. The project is being funded by the government's National Academies Framework Part 1.

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