Southampton City College

Southampton City College approached Design ACB to assist with the preparation of a feasibility study and conceptual proposals for the part refurbishment of the Austen Building at the City College.

The building is currently used by the City College as a Learning Resource Centre at ground floor, with classroom and IT spaces on the upper two floors. The college aspires to provide a distinctly separate Studio School for students that have struggled to perform in a mainstream school environment. The studio will provide GCSE education in Maths, English and Dual Science, together with vocational studies arranged through a mentoring programme with local businesses.

In line with the brief, the proposed design promotes a corporate rather than an institutional feel. Instead of the traditional dining hall, the foyer will be a focal social area for students, used for workshops and exhibitions as well as dining.

On the upper levels, the use of movable partitions enables the space to be adapted as needed. This allows for large exhibition spaces or small, intimate classrooms.