Shrewsbury Colleges Group
A new mezzanine floor adding three teaching areas above a working brickwork department, delivered on a tight summer programme with the college campus still in use.
Huwga was appointed as Principal Contractor, taking the project from initial concept through to completion. Working closely with SCG, we helped develop the specification, coordinated the architectural and engineering services, managed Building Control and CDM requirements, and procured the materials and specialist trades. That gave the college a single point of contact for everything: subcontractors, health and safety, quality control, the programme and day-to-day site coordination.
The brief
SCG wanted to increase teaching capacity within its existing Brickworks department by creating a new mezzanine floor above the workshop. The new space provides three additional teaching areas, allowing the college to take more students and support the expansion of its electrical and painting departments, while keeping the brickwork teaching facilities below. The project also had to address the limits of the existing building: poor natural light, ageing windows and doors, outdated heating and the requirements of modern building regulations.
What we had to consider
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A 1960s building
A large steel portal-framed building, with limited information about how it was originally constructed.
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Working with what was there
The new works had to tie in with the existing structure and an existing mezzanine, and meet current Building Control standards.
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A very tight programme
Multiple specialist trades working in sequence and alongside one another to hit the deadline.
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A live campus
Most of the work took place over the summer holidays, but staff and young people continued to use the wider campus.
Our approach
We worked closely with the architects, engineers, Building Control and SCG to identify and resolve issues as they arose. Where the existing building did not meet modern regulations, we worked with the professional team to establish the improvements needed and build them into the project.
Detailed scheduling and close coordination of the specialist subcontractors kept the works moving within the demanding programme.
Health and safety had particular attention because the site stayed operational. Construction areas were carefully managed and segregated, access routes and fire escapes were maintained, and measures were put in place to protect college staff and students.
Explore the transformation
The improvements
As well as the new mezzanine, the refurbishment brought the existing building up to modern standards.
- Three new teaching areas
- Brickwork teaching retained below
- Improved insulation
- Modern heating and cooling
- Upgraded windows and doors
- Improved fire protection
The outcome
SCG now has around 2,500 sq ft of modern teaching accommodation across three new teaching areas, increasing the college's capacity and supporting its wider growth. The new mezzanine is a bright, modern, purpose-designed space for students to develop practical skills, while the space beneath continues to provide valuable brickwork teaching facilities. The result is a more efficient, comfortable and versatile teaching environment, built to support SCG's students and the college's continued development.
Scope of works
- Groundworks
- Structural works
- New mezzanine installation
- M&E
- Fire protection
- Suspended and MF ceilings
- Plastering
- Carpentry and joinery
- Insulation
- Glazing
- External doors
- New electrical submain
- Decoration
- Floor coverings
- Project management
Pretty much perfect. A pleasure to work with, clear communication, high quality workmanship and delivered exactly what we wanted.- Shrewsbury Colleges Group