Jefferson Sheard Architects were engaged by Barnsley College to assist in developing proposals for a unique and  exemplar  facility,  the  Centre  of  Excellence  for  Sustainable  Construction  and  Renewable  Energy Technologies. The Centre is a ‘flagship’ within the low carbon sector and has achieved a BREEAM rating of excellent by utilising existing and emerging green technologies and construction techniques.

The Centre aims to facilitate research, development and skills for environmental technologies, enabling businesses to exploit emerging markets in this sector. This innovative project is the first of its kind in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

We’ve created a design that incorporates the use of sustainable technologies and materials alongside effective use of natural resources so that they function both as an integral element of the building and as a skills aid to inform the building users.

Our design has taken into consideration the building’s function as an interactional learning tool for students by exposing features including the under-floor heating system and rainwater harvesting system, as well as designing a demonstrator-plant room which operates as a classroom for students.

We incorporated two open plan practical workshops, multi function rooms and a demonstration area so that the College will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to explore new products and to test the latest developments within the industry.