Project overview

The redevelopment of Booth Lane saw the demolition of the former campus and the construction of a single ‘landmark’ building with associated ancillary development in its place.

Project value
£20,000,000
Project value
Rating
Passivhaus design
Rating
eco-friendly and modern en-suite bedrooms
72
eco-friendly and modern en-suite bedrooms
RIBA Stage
2
RIBA Stage
Heritage Consultants
Bidwells
Heritage Consultants
5 national construction awards
5 Awards
5 national construction awards

Initially, Blocks C, D, E and F were built alongside the existing campus, with the College moving into the new structure upon completion. This, in turn, allowed SDC to demolish the former campus and construct Blocks A and B.

 

Initially, Blocks C, D, E and F were built alongside the existing campus, with the College moving into the new structure upon completion. This, in turn, allowed SDC to demolish the former campus and construct Blocks A and B.

The project was one of the most ambitious Further Education redevelopment ventures undertaken in the United Kingdom and achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ thanks to innovative passive design measures and a range of low-carbon technologies.

Facilities included classrooms, ICT suites, lecture theatres, a library, workshops, a cafeteria, restaurant, underground recording studios, a sports hall and a TV station.

Gary Brough, Vice Principal

The biggest success of the project which led to the opening of the buildings on time and to budget was the working relationships. These developed into a relationship that was a “can do” one where solutions were found that met the needs of users and respected the budget. Specifically, the coordination of services and layouts were excellently handled. This involved meeting with end users to understand their individual and departmental needs during the design phase and then coordinating the installation of all the new equipment and relocation of all the existing equipment and materials.

Project team

Adam Knaggs

Adam Knaggs

Managing Director

Adam joined SDC in 1995 as a Site Engineer. His position as Managing Director involves contributing to the day-to-day running of the business, setting the strategy for projects, and supporting all departments. Adam’s active approach to problem solving has been a defining trait of his career, as recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers who honoured him with their Site Engineer of the Year Award 1999, in which he was praised for designing his own shuttering system.

Andrew Shiner

Andrew Shiner

Director

Andy joined SDC as a Site Agent and rose through the ranks to Project Director, before taking on his current role as Board Director in 2020. The experience he gained in all three professions will undoubtedly assist him in leading this scheme. On a previous project for NIAB in Cambridge, Andy’s team were responsible for SDC’s highest Considerate Constructors’ score to date (90 out of 100) and a Runner’s Up Prize at the CCS National Awards in 2019.

Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell

Director

Andrew is a senior member of staff who holds the role of Director/Company Secretary. He joined SDC in 1994, and had therefore been with the company for almost thirty years. He plays a key role in ensuring that board procedures are both followed and regularly reviewed. The Chairman and Board Directors will look to the Company Secretary for guidance as to what their responsibilities are under the rules and regulations to which they are subject, and on how these responsibilities should be discharged.

Francis Shiner

Francis Shiner

Chairman

Since joining the company in 1983, Francis has assumed various roles, from Chief Surveyor to managing Director, ultimately assuming the position of Chairman in 2021.

Dan Changer

Dan Changer

Director

Dan studied Architecture at the University of Cambridge and worked as a chartered Architect before joining SDC in 2010. Joining as a Design Coordinator, Dan then opted to work as a Contracts Manager, receiving a promotion to Project Manager before his appointment to the Board of Directors in 2020. His duties and responsibilities include setting the overall strategy for the project, as well as leading the project team and ensuring the scheme is delivered within the client’s time, quality and budget constraints. Dan’s client-focused attitude and collaborative problem-solving approach will be crucial to the scheme’s successful delivery.