Southampton City College

Southampton City College approached Design ACB to assist with the prepartation 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 Center at ground floor, with classroom and IT spaces on the upper two floors. The College aspires to provide a distinctly seperate Studio School for students that have struggled to perform in a mainstream school environment. The Studio will provide G.C.S.E. 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 a dining area.

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