South Staffordshire College

“The ACG team have brought passion and pragmatism to this project in equal measure and have helped create an exceptionally efficient building on this deep-span town centre site with a careful and considered use of long lasting high quality materials.” Peter Marsh, Client Advisor

Following an invited competition, we are working with South Staffordshire College (SSC) to create a new central campus building within the historic town setting of Tamworth. The ambition is to create a building which will strengthen connections between the college and the local community, forming a new social hub and stimulating economic growth in the town centre. Part funded by the ‘Future High Streets Fund’, the scheme will replace a redundant department store building which is beyond economical repair and is unsuitable for conversion. The site, which forms part of a wider council-led regeneration masterplan, is a prominent corner facing the market square and a Grade I listed medieval church.

Our design response is based on a detailed analysis of the historical grain prior to the 60s development. The articulation of architectural elements and facades reflects both the historical grain and the three core activities within the college programme– retail, civic, and industrial.

The central space is the focal point of the building acting as a secondary active frontage mediating between the public and private college uses. It serves as a lightwell and as a visual tool for wayfinding and showcasing subjects, as well as a semi-public forum providing a social space for informal meetings, café breakout, workspace and event space.