Kendal College provides education and training to over 3500 learners in the South Lakeland region. With a shortage of skilled workers in the area, the college secured funding for a new building to provide extra teaching.

With an excellent track record of projects in the Further Education sector John Turner Construction were awarded the contract to design and build the colleges’ new two-storey facility, for the teaching of Construction T level qualifications.

The new building connects directly to the existing teaching block, which remained in full occupation throughout the duration of the works. Careful planning of our operations and close communications with the College minimised disruption with the construction site clearly segregated from the students and college users. This confined site had several tree root protection zones and we worked closely with an arboriculturalist to protect the sites mature trees and hedgerows. Temporary walkways and car parking were all closely co-ordinated with the college and local residents.

With the new extension built into the hillside, a key operation was the construction of retaining walls. A piled Kingpost precast concrete plank and I-beam system was used. Pad foundations then support a steel frame up to a Sika Sarnafil PVC roof. External walls are constructed from architectural blockwork and through coloured render with aluminium framed windows and external doors. The new classrooms and workshops benefit from underfloor heating partnered to air source heat pumps and energy efficient LED lighting.

Client: Kendal College