CHARTERED ARCHITECT . CHARTERED ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST

EXTENSIONS . ART & LAW DEPARTMENTS . KING EDWARD VI COLLEGE, NUNEATON

LAW DEPARTMENT:

The continued growth of the further education sector placed significant pressure on this relatively small college in Nuneaton, which had reached full capacity due to increasing student numbers and the popularity of its courses. The project developed in stages, beginning as a student meeting space, then evolving into an extension to the library, and ultimately resulting in a scheme comprising new office accommodation with adjacent teaching facilities. A largely underused enclosed courtyard was identified as the only viable development opportunity, enabling a modest library expansion to be delivered within the constraints of the existing building fabric.

The courtyard was a sensitive setting, surrounded by a range of architectural styles including a listed building and a distinctive curved science block referenced in The Buildings of England: Warwickshire. The design introduced a contemporary intervention intended to complement and unify these elements while respecting the historic context. The scheme utilised a steel frame, timber structure, and cedar cladding for their sustainability and potential for disassembly, while also reflecting surrounding architecture through vertical window proportions and material references. Delivered within a tight summer programme, the completed project was praised by the local authority conservation architect for its quality and sensitivity.

ART DEPARTMENT:

Art rooms are highly dynamic and evolving environments where the production, display, and storage of artwork continuously transform the character of the space. The existing Art Department, originally accommodated within a former science laboratory, has adapted to its current setting but has ultimately outgrown its spatial and functional limitations. Issues include excessive daylight from vertical glazing, reduced wall space for display, and retained laboratory benching, all of which constrain teaching flexibility and the organisation of exhibitions. In response, the College was also introducing a new Art Foundation course to support progression into higher education in art and design disciplines such as fashion and architecture.

The proposed scheme provides a new Art Department defined by open-plan studio spaces with rooflights that deliver consistent natural daylight and enhance wall illumination for display purposes. It includes a dedicated teaching space alongside a specialist studio for the Art Foundation course, which is directly linked to an external sculpture garden to support practical learning. The construction approach and material strategy will align with principles established in a previous 2007 project, ensuring continuity of design language and methodology across the campus.

[Images 8, 9 & 10: via King Edward VI College Website]

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