The refurbished 4,300 sqm teaching facility comprises two seminar rooms, 10 classrooms, six laboratories, learning hubs, social spaces and a business centre.

“This building marks the first of a multi-phased campus redevelopment programme, which will bring state-of-the-art, specialist STEM facilities to the region,” said Keith Prendergast, director at Pick Everard, the property, construction and infrastructure consultancy.

He added: “This first phase has significantly modernised the college’s offering. Our designs have enabled further and higher education teaching services to take place under one roof, alongside a space for local businesses linked to the educational offer. This creates greater links with industry, addressing the skills gap in STEM and creating an opportunity for real collaboration.

“The campus is on the site of a former specialist engineering facility, where high-end equipment for TV and media was developed. It’s great that we’re helping to continue this story, creating a space that will train the next generation of engineers".

The team Pick Everard provided full, multi-disciplinary services for the project. It worked alongside Wynne-Williams Associates, which provided landscape architecture, and contractor Coulson Building Group.

The site will eventually house 350 students.