College's future on course as tower rises high

The flagship curved tower forms the central part of the new Sheffield City College, which unites the former Castle College sites into one building.

It features a striking six-storey glazed cathedral-style atrium which forms a secondary facade to the main teaching block.

Confidence is key to the building's design with a grand entrance replacing a little door to the reception.

There are more than 50 varied teaching rooms contained within the main building and tower, including training salons and science laboratories as well as staff facilities, the Learning Resource Centre, a spa, a restaurant and student refectory with a panoramic roof terrace.

The college, which is being built by construction firm JF Finnegan, is expected to be completed by summer 2010.

The final phase will see the construction of a new sports hall, outdoor sports pitches, a landscaping programme which will create a parkland style area to be used as amenity space and also the completion of the road works and access for the new college entrance.

Tom Charles, construction manager for JF Finnegan, said: "The handover of the main building and tower is a pivotal moment in the development of this significant project. Having worked around some 6,000 students and 600 staff during the construction of the main facility and throughout the earlier phases, it is a major achievement to now witness the complete occupation of the building. We are looking forward to progressing with the final stage and to handing over the entire project in time for the college's summer enrolment."

The first phase of construction incorporated the nursery and was followed by the development of a three-storey catering block in phase two.

As each phase has been completed, students have been vacating existing buildings to relocate into the new facilities. Subsequently, the old buildings have been demolished to make way for the future phases.

Alan Biggin, Sheffield City College's project manager, added: "A key criteria with the new college was visibility and the completion of the main element allows us to showcase this incredible building of which we are so proud. These facilities are a dynamic catalyst for change, enabling us to raise aspirations and achievement, and focus on vocational excellence and enterprise.

"To have been able to continue to run the college's operations throughout the complicated construction process is testament to the expertise of the JF Finnegan team and we are delighted to be able to welcome existing and new students into the facility."

Green features are also a key part of the building's design.

Three wind turbines, which will be installed on the roof of the newly-completed tower, will generate 10 per cent of the college's electricity.

Energy will also come from 2,820 sq ft of solar panels mounted on the south facade of the tower.

The building also contains a rainwater recycling system to flush the toilets and a balancing pond to channel water for reuse.

The college's 60-place children's nursery, which was built in 2008, incorporates a sedum roof, which changes colour with the seasons. It acts as a giant sponge for rainwater and also provides insulation, keeping a constant temperature inside the building.

In addition, all rooms are naturally ventilated and have high-efficiency light fittings.

Mixing old and new in development

Elements of the original college buildings are being incorporated in the development of Sheffield City College.

Parquet blocks from the old engineering workshops form the polished floor of the new Sparks restaurant and 1970s' lighting from the refectory has been recycled as a retro feature in the reception.

The college will continue to offer courses in job-related subjects such as catering, hair and beauty, and construction, but new amenities mean students will benefit from technology such as a new aviation academy with a mock-up cabin for inflight training.