Challenge:
Stem Architects produced a Planning Statement on behalf of Barnsley College and a planning application for a proposed new campus building known as the Automotive Technology Centre containing the college’s automotive technology courses. The building will include a large internal space for the repair of vehicles accessed via sectional shutter doors with hydraulic lifting equipment and specific allocation for electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. In addition the building will contain classrooms for teaching, as well as welfare facilities including changing rooms, staff room and WC provision.
Solution:
The building will be a modern facility with the provision to provide training for the future of automotive
technologies including electric/hybrid and hydrogen powered vehicles as the industry becomes more environment friendly in line with government ambitions. This ensures the facility and courses are future proofed and in addition with the scope to expand means the building will have a longer life span. The proposed site provides future scope to extend the building into neighbouring car park areas at a later date.The proposed building also provides an opportunity to offset carbon emissions (particularly in relation to the industry it represents) and sustainable technologies such as solar panels and a green sedum roof will help to do this. The further move to more sustainable automotive technologies will also aid in the facility continuing to be increasing sustainable in the future.
Conclusion:
The new MVT building will employ a range of sustainable design measures to create a unique teaching and learning facility, combining modern FE teaching spaces with practical working bays for Traditional Petroleum based, Hybrid and Electrical vehicles providing students with the skill base required to gain a career within the Motor Vehicle Technology industry. The MVT building will is fitted with professional MOT bays and Tyre fitting services which will be available for public usage.
