south durham utc

A collaboration between Hitachi, Gestamp Automotive and the University of Sunderland. The first University Technical College (UTC) in the North of England was commissioned to provide a STEM focused technically oriented teaching facility.

The building comprises of two interlocking blocks with a grand central engineering hall benefitting from natural light via clerestory ribbon glazing.

The ground floor is mainly open plan to allow various heavy machinery elements to be installed and repositioned. The upper floors provide more enclosed teaching zones with an atrium overlooking the ground floor workshop zone. Administration facilities are located by the entrance alongside recreational and dining areas.

The building is constructed around a modular steel frame and encased in insulated aluminium cladding panels.

The large flat roof is utilised by an array of PV Solar Panels.