Energy Coast UTC, Cumbria
Overview
Energy Coast UTC is a new concept in education for 14 -19 year olds in West Cumbria which opened in September 2014. The academy combines traditional academic classroom-based learning with practical skills.
The UTC specialises in energy and the curriculum has a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), sustainability, clean technologies and construction.
The UTC is sponsored and supported by GEN II Training, Lakes College and the University of Cumbria. Students will also learn and work with key employers in the area.
The new facility has been built on land next to Energus, a state of the art training and conference centre, in Lillyhall. This location means that students will be using some of the best facilities in the UK, including the engineering workshops of Energus and GEN II Training and the new Energy Coast Construction Skills Centre at Lakes College.
Awards
LABC Building Excellence Awards 2015
Winner – Best Education Building
Finalist – Best Inclusive Building
Key Challenges
A key challenge was to achieve a suitable solution to suit ground conditions without adding time into the programme. By analysis of existing site investigation, a solution of lime stabilisation was adopted that enabled the foundation solution to be expedited and substructure works progressed quickly.
Energy Coast UTC is the most exposed location we have worked in, with one wall of the building taking the force of the Irish Sea and gale force winds. Our design team and construction delivery team accommodated the exposed marine location within their plans and we applied best practice learned from delivering buildings in Blackpool, Barrow and Walney Island on the same coastline.
Added Value
A programme of student engagement has been produced to target activities across the curriculum at Lakes College and to provide opportunities and apprentice places. These included students designing the site hoarding banner, monthly progress photographs by photography students, ground breaking ceremony, newsletter, science lecture on Lime Stabilisation, monthly site visits, visit to Leach Steel factory to view structural steel fabrication, student competition for footpath signage design, law seminar, annual lectures (3 years
These included students designing the site hoarding banner, monthly progress photographs by photography students, ground breaking ceremony, newsletter, science lecture on Lime Stabilisation, monthly site visits, visit to Leach Steel factory to view structural steel fabrication, student competition for footpath signage design, law seminar, annual lectures (3 years post construction).
We also provided student work placements at ADP (Architectural), Cundall (Structural Engineering) and EWC and apprentice opportunities in Groundworks, Admin Assistant, SFS / Partition / Plastering, Roof Slating, Brickwork, Wall Cladding, Mechanical, Electrical, Joinery, Suspended Ceiling, Decoration, Floor Finishes – Carpet/Vinyl Installation.
Design
The design creates a strong and confident identity for the UTC through building form; and branding through colour, materials and signage that is instantly recognisable and distinct.
The architectural vision was to produce a building which feels professional and inspirational and which engenders a sense of entrepreneurship.
This is achieved through features including the unique building envelope, inspiring entrance and circulation spaces, visible independent learning areas and double height spaces, along with clear branding and graphics.
Sustainability
Sustainability has been a fundamental driver for the architecture through tried and tested design principles of a well-insulated, air tight building that optimises natural light and ventilation to minimise energy demand for heating, cooling and illumination; while providing direct end user control. The building is designed to achieve an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and has achived a BREEAM Very Good Certificate.