ISG Chalks up £5.8 Million Colchester Institute Win

The new linked four-storey extension is being constructed on partially formed foundations – the legacy of the earlier redevelopment scheme. ISG will install further piles to support the new concrete-frame teaching block, which will provide additional classrooms, workshops, a library building and office accommodation. The building will be linked at all levels by glazed walkways to the West Wing on the Sheepen Road campus in Colchester and incorporates a raft of sustainable features to help achieve a BREEAM Excellent environmental performance rating.

The 41,500 sq ft extension includes eight engineering and construction skills workshops at ground floor level – providing practical teaching space for students in plumbing, electrical engineering and advanced manufacturing. At first floor level, ISG will create a library, seminar rooms and a dedicated facility for the study of building technology and renewable energy sources. General teaching spaces, ICT suites, multi-purpose science laboratories, woodwork, a pottery workshop and a TV studio facility are located across the two upper levels.      

The building’s impressive sustainable credentials include roof-mounted photo voltaic panels and solar water collectors, air source heat pumps and a rainwater harvesting and re-use system. Students will study these sustainable construction technologies as part of Colchester Institute’s curriculum. The project is scheduled for completion ahead of the new academic year in September 2015.

Liam Duffy, ISG’s regional director – East, commented: “This long-awaited project will enable Colchester Institute to move out of temporary accommodation into modern, high-specification teaching space. Construction-related qualifications are a key element of the curriculum offer and we will be actively involving students at all stages of the build process to provide some real site-based experience.”

Gary Horne, Vice Principal said “We were delighted to appoint ISG to deliver this crucial project on behalf the College. The construction phase has commenced in line with programme and our students will really benefit from the opportunity of observing the build process up close.  We are really excited about the prospect of brand new teaching facilities becoming available for the next academic year, and the positive impact this will have for staff and students alike.”