GSSArchitecture - Further Education

Together we can...

GSSArchitecture is a national, award-winning architectural practice with a dynamic and forward-thinking approach. Operating across the whole of the UK with offices located in Kettering, Gloucester, Harrogate, Leeds, Milton Keynes and Newcastle, we specialise in projects where a collaborative approach is required.

We design tailored architectural solutions and place sustainability and inclusivity at the heart of our design ethos. Our project experience includes a diverse range of public and private sectors from inception through to completion, all of which are supported by inhouse specialist divisions including Graphics and Conservation and Heritage.

With over 400 education clients nationally, we have experience in all types of education projects from small refurbishments, nurseries and primary schools through to multimillion-pound higher education projects and estate strategies.

Together, we can bring your vision to life. Collaborative Responsive Creative Inclusive Accountable

further education

With over 400 education clients nationally, we have developed significant knowledge and experience in the further education sector. Many of these relationships are longstanding and cover a considerable range of projects, from remodelling and expansions to new build schemes in areas such as sports, leisure, marine, sciences, technology, engineering, land-based learning, construction, health, and student living.

Every further education project delivered by GSS is designed to create a range of sophisticated spaces to include both formal and informal opportunities for personalised learning, and to be an integral and holistic part of the wider estate and context. We are proud to have worked on a number of innovative projects which have provided bespoke learning environments to support the learning experience and to prepare students for their professional careers.

South Central Institute of Technology, Bletchley

We were appointed by Milton Keynes College to undertake Architect and Lead Consultant services for the Bletchley South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) scheme, which is one of three projects that GSS has delivered to improve Milton Keynes College’s technical and digital education offering in Bletchley, Reading and Oxford.

The SCIoT is part of the government funded Institute of Technology programme that delivers education in STEM subjects with the aim of providing employers with a technically skilled workforce and students with a clear route to employment.

The refurbishment has created a high quality, adaptable education environment and involved complex enabling works including the phased remodelling and large-scale extension of an existing building which remained in occupation. Enabling works and phased activities were planned from an early stage in collaboration with the College and contractor, minimising disruption to occupants and ensuring continued delivery of learning.

The National College for Motorsport

Run by Tresham College of Further and Higher Education, the National College for Motorsport currently trains full-time students and apprentices from across the UK for a career in the Motorsport and High Performance Engineering industry. This resource is located at Silverstone, one of the UK’s most prestigious venues, and the heart of British motorsport racing.

The new facility provides fully equipped workshops and classrooms, which we designed to ensure that the space is suitable for combining both the practical and theoretical training of students and apprentices in the motorsport industry.

Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties Centre

Leicester College is one of the largest and most successful general further education colleges in the country with over 26,900 learners and four city centre campuses. We were appointed as Architects to design the new Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities Centre (PMLD), which relocated from the Glenfrith Hospital site in the north of Leicester to Freemen’s Park Campus.

The project was carefully designed to suit the very specific needs of the learners and includes a series of general and specialist learning spaces, a performing arts classroom, art room, dining room, high specification sensory rooms and an external sensory garden, which features a series of tactile and water installations, together with coloured light and sensory planting.

South Central Institute of Technology, Oxford

The challenging remodelling and refurbishment works of the Oxford South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) have created welcoming and inspirational learning environments in the form of high-tech facilities, such as immersive learning and robotic labs, a pitching room, and inviting breakout and collaboration spaces that support the curriculum delivery model.

The project included transforming the original 1960s building into a sustainable, modern education destination to attract learners and improve Milton Keynes College’s Blackbird Leys Campus. The SCIoT promotes cross disciplinary collaboration between academic and industry partners and was designed in close consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and several anchor partners, including global brands such as Microsoft and KPMG.

Education Training Facility

We have been appointed on the multi-million-pound refurbishment, remodelling and extension of an existing building for a leading college group in the North East of England to create a new, cutting edge technical training facility. This scheme involves the relocation and consolidation of training facilities onto a College site and will provide an aspirational environment for adult learners, creating opportunities for local people, and supporting local engineering, offshore and petrochemical industries. Facilities include a range of workshops for advanced manufacturing, electrical, gas, welding and heavy engineering, alongside commercial assessment areas and social and support space.

We have been working with Moulton College for over 30 years, during which we have developed the masterplan of their four main campuses, designing and delivering a variety of schemes to improve the educational facilities the College provides.

Works have included a new student accommodation and social centre; large and small animal units, including an equestrian centre and hydrotherapy pool; an extension to the construction workshop, as well as an extension to the sports hall. In addition to this, we delivered a new classroom block and a new sports and rehabilitation centre, including a gym and pool, together with a multi-use games area and all-weather pitch.

Digital Academy Northampton College

We were appointed as Architects, Lead Consultant and Principal Designers to deliver the 1,300m2 Digital Academy for Northampton College. The Academy provides high-quality teaching and learning spaces across four storeys, and offers a range of courses and apprenticeships intended to help students progress into digital careers by improving their professional IT skills.

In order to house the new Digital Academy, an extension at the College’s Booth Lane Campus was required. Materials were chosen specifically to allow the building to blend into the rest of the site, creating a seamless design.

The facilities include a new eSports Games Room and a Virtual Reality TV Studio.

South Central Institute of Technology, Reading

The new South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) in Reading specialises in delivering technical and digital education, focusing on the specific skills required in the local area, with the aim of providing employers with a technically skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment.

Thanks to close collaboration with the Milton Keynes College Group and Activate Learning, we have been able to maximise the opportunities presented by the building, delivering a design that reflects the unique identity of the SCIoT which focuses on bridging skills gaps, driving growth and widening opportunities for the local community.

The SCIoT provides higher level technical qualifications, offers a realworld learning experience, and aims to increase the diversity of the technology sector and develop learners.

South Tyneside College

We have been appointed as part of the design team for a multi-million pound campus development for South Tyneside College. The scheme involves the relocation of the College from its base in Westoe to the centre of South Shields.

The designs include a new main building for the College, a 140bed student accommodation block, and the refurbishment of a listed building which will become the new administration space, all predicated to meet BREEAM standards. South Shields Marine School will also relocate to the town centre as part of the proposals.

The College’s current site will then be used for much needed housing for the local community.

Bath College

We were appointed to provide Bath College with a concept masterplan for their Avon Street Campus. The plan provided a vision to illustrate the College’s role and future within the World Heritage Site of Bath and its integration within the Council’s wider scale masterplan development. The proposed creation of a new centre of excellence reflects the immediate needs, future ambitions and objectives of Bath College.

The masterplan includes a detailed 10-15 year phased development strategy and will provide a modern and reimagined teaching facility in the heart of Bath. With an overall vision to become the country’s most enterprising college, focusing on collaboration and innovation, the plans include the creation of a new Innovation Centre to bring together commercial tenants and college academics.

services, specialist teams & procurement

Our work includes the full range of services covering architectural design, feasibilities, 3D graphics and animation, interior design, estate strategies, conservation and heritage, principal designer and one-stop-shop.

Our specialist in-house teams are collaborating with industry leaders to research and develop the latest technologies and processes that can be incorporated into our designs.

Professional services frameworks have become increasingly important over recent years as a method to engage construction professionals in a way that ensures compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and that promote a more streamlined way of partnering in the longer term.

As a practice, we have secured positions on a range of established, Find a Tender (OJEU replacement) compliant formal frameworks, which enables easier, quicker and cheaper procurement routes for our clients.

Architectural Services Feasibilities Masterplanning

As experienced Chartered Architects we can work with you to explore your options, bringing a wide range of experience, innovations and best practice to realise your vision. We can bring a wide range of innovations and best practice from our different sectors to meet your specific needs and aspirations. This experience includes masterplanning, new builds, remodelling and extensions and specialist heritage advice.

We will work with you in a collaborative way to develop a workable brief to explore design concepts and options, to manage your project through the planning process, the development of detailed design proposals, details and specifications, together with all necessary statutory approval processes.

Feasibility studies are an extremely important part of the development process. By carefully mapping out your options, risks, constraints, and opportunities we can present creative proposals and scheme appraisals that are deliverable, viable and fit for purpose. Developing your brief is fundamental to this process.

Our highly experienced teams work on a wide variety of projects, ranging in both sector and size. This means that the knowledge, experience and ‘lessons learnt’ can be brought to benefit your feasibility brief and our experience allows your dedicated project team to explore all the options quickly and effectively to arrive at an appropriate project delivery strategy.

A good masterplan is not just about the distribution of land use, it should provide you a sound starting point to create healthy communities and well-planned development strategies. A masterplan should give you a carefully considered and well thought out long-term planning document that serves as a conceptual plan to guide future growth and development.

Master planning is all about setting the standard that creates an appropriate sense of place, connecting buildings with social, public and cultural spaces to create environments that help communities to thrive.

3D Graphics / Animation

As a streamlined part of our service offering, 3DLABS is our in-house digital design studio that specialises in CGI visualisations, 3D printing and marketing support services. They offer these services to communicate our clients designs, concepts, products or services to a wider audience, allowing them to be represented in the most visually appealing medium.

They have been offering these services for nearly a decade, gathering a diverse client base with their own unique needs and requirements.

The studio is made of a highly skilled team, led by their Studio Manager who has over 15 years of industry experience. He is supported by a team who each bring their own passions and specialisms, with photorealistic renders, interior design, graphic design to name a few.

Interior Design

In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of how the built environment can impact health and productivity, and its added benefits to help institutions flourish. Organisations are now focusing their efforts on how to use the built environment for mental health and wellbeing by encouraging choice, movement and relaxation, controlling temperature, noise levels and air quality, ergonomic furniture, plants, and adding breakout areas. These are all fundamental components of good interior design.

Our interior design services include interior layouts and drawings, internal elevations, room data sheets, space planning and interior architecture, furniture selection and accessories, custom furniture and textile design and colour palette consultation.

Estates Strategies

Estate Strategies are critically important documents to have in place to provide a framework and direction for how an estate needs to grow and evolve to support you in delivering your strategic objectives. Estate strategies are important to a number of our higher education clients for example, and we have worked with a number of UK based universities to help them define their strategies.

Good estate strategies can add value to other large estates however, such as landed estates or multiacademy trusts for example. Our teams have the depth of skills and experience in house to work with you and your estates teams to consider whole estate strategies and how individual projects might fit into the ‘bigger picture.’

Heritage Principal Designer

If you are an owner or custodian of buildings with historical significance, we can help to understand your properties, advise on the best techniques to care for them and make sensitive changes that will mean your heritage assets are both successful and sustainable.

Whether a simple Grade II* Listed House or a complex World Heritage Site, all heritage assets have their own story and unique value and getting the right advice from a well-qualified, specialist team can really make the difference.

The importance of the Principal Designer’s role cannot be underestimated and the skills that make a good Principal Designer should never be omitted from a development project. Fundamentally, a good Principal Designer helps to ensure that everyone involved in construction stays safe during the course of their work and complies with the statutory duties and we often provide this service on schemes where we have also been appointed as Architect and/or Lead Consultant.

GSS can give you the confidence of knowing that our organisational approach to Health and Safety is led from partner level, ensuring that all our teams receive regular training, making certain that processes are in place to plan and manage health and safety throughout the project and helping to protect everyone’s health and safety.

One Stop Shop

Successful construction projects rely on the right balance between design and project control, including project and cost management. We can offer you a streamlined consulting service bringing together all of the design team partners that you need from across our network of approved supply chain partners.

Using a one stop shop service is not right for everyone, but it can mean that you benefit from a single point of contact for your integrated design team. Our teams will use their construction knowledge and cost planning experience to offer expert advice on construction approaches and procurement options. This begins from the very initial feasibility testing of a project, right through until the handover of the completed building.

All successful partnerships are founded on taking a truly collaborative approach to achieving common aims and objectives. Clear communication is therefore an essential part of collaboration, alongside developing and nurturing a culture of working together as one team. GSS have a successful track record of achieving excellent outcomes through working collaboratively and can draw on our experience and lessons learned over the years to encourage and drive collaboration.

Sustainability

With climate change being one of the biggest challenges we face in our lifetime, GSS are committed to ensuring their projects are designed to incorporate innovative, sustainable solutions that not only benefit the building user, but the wider environment.

Our in-house sustainability working group are collaborating with industry leaders to research and develop the latest technologies and sustainable processes that can be incorporated into our designs. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

Modern Methods of Construction

GSS’s in-house Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Team are responsible for developing strategies and research on the most appropriate off-site solutions for a client and/or site, as well as reviewing the existing information library in the Practice. They aim to identify any areas of strengths and weakness within our systems regarding MMC, to ensure we are continually meeting competencies required by current and future clients. Furthermore, they are responsible for relaying important information, research, educational publications, etc., back to the wider GSS team to develop a culture of knowledge sharing within the Practice.

GSS firmly believe that the key to the success of use of Modern Methods of Construction lies within providing an architecturally creative response to a project’s requirements whilst maximising the benefits of the use of MMC solutions.

Net Zero Carbon

Many of our clients have set Net Zero Carbon or Carbon Neutral targets for their buildings and estates through either decarbonisation of their current estate, or through targeting Net Zero Carbon in new buildings or investments.

We are also on our own route to becoming Carbon Neutral by 2035, a target which, although complex and challenging, we believe to be realistic and genuine.

Health and Wellbeing

There is an increasing awareness of how our environment can affect our physical and mental health and the impact that this has on our productivity and wellbeing. The Covid pandemic has reinforced the importance of good mental and physical health for everyone in society and there is an increased focus on the need for more human-centred, sustainable environments that support the people who work and live in them.

We understand that good design is at the centre of this and has real power to improve peoples’ lives and support organisations, delivering places that support health, comfort, and happiness. The quality of environment can help to reduce staff turnover, improve outputs, and attract new people to an organisation.

Our designers are trained to look at how new and existing buildings, and external spaces, can deliver high quality places that is not only functional, adaptable, and efficient but is also welcoming, inclusive and supportive.

Procurement

Professional services frameworks have become increasingly important over recent years as a method to engage construction professionals in a way that ensure compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR15) and that promote a more streamlined way of partnering in the longer term.

As a practice, we have secured positions on a range of established, Find a Tender (OJEU replacement) compliant formal frameworks, which enables easier, quicker and cheaper procurement routes for our clients. In addition to our national and regional frameworks, GSSArchitecture have also secured places on a number of university frameworks across the country.

For more information on our frameworks and how you can appoint GSSArchitecture for your project, please visit our website via the below QR code:

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