Rosslee Construction delivers the Accrington and Rossendale College refurbishment and alterations scheme.
Broadoak Building
This first phase was for the internal refurbishment of the whole of the first floor which included student services, ancillary offices, a computer suite and a library. The works consisted of structural alterations to open up the student services area into a large, bright, user-friendly environment with study shelves, IT connections & high bar stool type seating. All areas had structural alterations and the formation of new internal fire screens & doors to form fire escape routes, full M&E alterations, new ceilings, decorations and floor coverings.
The new library space was created with completely new lighting, ventilation, ceilings and floor coverings including full redecoration. The scheme was to be completed by the start of the September college term, which was fulfilled.
Further alterations included the provision of:
- Quiet study rooms with IT facilities
- Offices for private student-teacher learning
- Private administration rooms
- Open areas for relaxing
- Refit of male & female WCs
Heartwood Building
This phase of works consisted of the complete refurbishment of the kitchen block, refectory & main college kitchen area. Structural alterations were made to form the new teaching space and beauty suite including rooms for:
- Hair dressing
- Beauty
- Massage ward
- Sun beds
- Make up
- Dispensary for products
The refurbishment of the existing kitchen meant working around ‘live’ equipment to form separate rooms for cold store, freezer room and office. The removal of a structural wall opened up the refectory to be more open plan. Removing the wall meant the inclusion of large steel beams to support the roof.
A new catering front servery was installed along with underfloor drains, high-level ventilation and ceilings, and vinyl floor coverings. New reception desks to both the Reception area and the Beauty suite were installed. Works included a full M&E package, new partitions with plasterwork, manufacture of glazed screens, new ceilings, floor coverings and decoration.
Demolition of the Coppice Building
Once the Phase 2 refurbishment was complete, the college moved out of the Coppice Building into the newly refurbished Heartwood Building. The Coppice was fenced off to protect users of the college and keep a safe working area for the demolition works. The building had been extended several times and as a mixture of various construction techniques. The gas, water & electricity were disconnected and full asbestos removal. It was internally stripped and materials segregated into waste streams.
Entrance and gardens
Once the Coppice Building had been demolished, we began the work of creating a garden with a gravel path that meandered its way through the garden from Heartwood down to the Hambleden and Broadoak Buildings. At the side of the garden, the existing footpath was reconfigured to allow for a new lift to be installed with ramps to access all areas, for disabled wheelchair users.
All the existing flags were removed and the sub strata reconfigured so that new flags, kerbs and edgings could be installed, this along with the new handrails, with glass and metal balustrading gave the area a very open feel.
The existing canopy between the Heartwood Building and the old Coppice Building was propped throughout the scheme and extended with new columns installed so it would support itself.
The new lift shaft was formed from steel, brickwork and a Perspex cladding with single-ply roof.
The gardens were then planted with a variety of trees and flowers, creating a meadow garden.
Project value: £1.6m