Sector: Learn

From early learning to higher education, MawsonKerr has experience across the education sector. Creating the right quality of space can have a huge impact on teaching. Educational buildings have specific needs often including specialist functions which we have assisted in developing. We are involved in teaching ourselves and therefore have experience of the client perspective and understand the complexities of construction in a teaching environment.

Whitburn Coastal Conservation Centre

Whitburn Coastal Conservation Centre, a collaboration between National Trust and Seascapes, is sited adjacent to Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn, South Tyneside.

The centre acts as a gateway to The Leas coastline. It also enables community organisations and groups to use the space as a hub for the conservation work and nature programming activities. This in turn helping to raise awareness of North East coastal conservation issues

WCCC is located on an extremely complex site. Complexities include it is a Greenbelt; in the curtilage of a Grade 2* listed lighthouse; on top of an infilled quarry; ground gases; an ordnance hazardous area (on a historic firing range); located directly over a huge historic drainage pipe as part of the quarry works. Due to the nature of bird conservation work had to be adjacent to the bird netting area on the hill.

The design complements the 'heavy' lighthouse, grounded to the rock, with a lightweight 'floating' structure merging from the landscape. It features framed views of the lighthouse and large open views of the coast. The building almost wears the Trust's mission for the centre as a jacket: Exposed timber panel structure internally with 100% recycled plastic tiles from construction waste externally, illustrating how materials can be reused and not end up polluting our coasts and seas.

Planning was complex but achieved due to the exceptional circumstances of the project, the design, and its community use. The building is built with a monocoque CLT structure. The panels are the structure of the wall and roof, and become the internal finish. This is both low in embodied carbon and quick to construct in this harsh environment. Externally the CLT is wrapped in insulation and cladded in 100% recycled tiles made from plastic waste from the building industry. There is a sedum enhancing biodiversity with PVs which help run the air source heat pumps and MVHR.

The client was ambitious in their brief and the building had to met this ambition and be a hub for the community. The centre is regionally significant for the work National Trust and their partners do there. It is also internationally significant in the work the bird ringers do by contributing data on the local and migratory bird population. This goes to an international data base of birds so conservationists around the world can access this information.

National Trust have used this project as a pilot project for their sustainability matrix. This was in order to test the matrix and this project against their criteria. These findings used to hone their matrix for use on future National Trust projects. WCCC has been a success for both the client, the community and the design team and achieved EPC A-rating.

Link to Pretty Plastic

Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy – HICSA

Situated next to the Stadium of Light and utilising a disused engine shed the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) is a ground-breaking facility that will educate, train and upskill local people to create innovative factory-built new homes. The building is a partnership between Sunderland City Council, Education Partnership North East (EPNE) and the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE). It includes a purposed built new build facility connected to the Existing engine shed. Designed and delivered by MawsonKerr HICSA is an education facility that is both innovate and sustainable.

‘Sunderland people are known internationally for their ability to make things – from ships in bygone years to cars today. We now have an opportunity to be a global leader when it comes to modern methods of construction (MMC), if we put in place the right infrastructure to deliver more highly-skilled people. The Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy will create opportunities for the people of Sunderland, and for the city itself. To carve out a new industry and to build homes that will allow it to grow its reputation as a place to live, work and play.’

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council

HICSA will create a place in which young people develop exciting new skills, which will not only create opportunities for them, but will advance the agenda of the city when it comes to building homes using modern methods of construction that are faster to construct and deliver exemplary quality and energy efficiency standards that, ultimately, provide more flexible, modern homes that respond to the changing ways in which people are living.

Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive of EPNE, which comprises Sunderland College

This is a truly innovative project and we’re really proud to be playing a part in it – particularly because of the boost it will deliver to my home city. There is a huge opportunity for Sunderland to play a leading role in defining how homes of the future look and, through HICSA, to develop an ecosystem that will allow people from the city to build them too.

George Clarke Architect, Presenter, Founder MOBIE

Sacred Heart High School Auditorium

The existing auditorium space at Sacred Heart High School had become dated with a combination of poor sight lines and limited capacity leading them to our services in reimagining this space.

Following an initial appraisal we established the re-raking of the seating would serve a double benefit in also creating a new space underneath the auditorium where a new outward looking staff and assembly facility could be located for Sacred Heart High School. The auditorium is also intended for touring theatre companies including the RSC, the facilities have been developed to give this flexibility as well as providing a new dance / theatre teaching space during everyday use to maximise the impact of the works.

We developed a simple stripped back palette of natural materials and earthy colours with the school to give a calming feel and inspiring for the young performers. The staff area opens out to give expansive views of the wooded estate the school sits in.

The build was completed in the live school environment on the first floor space including substantial alterations to the existing concrete structure over six months.

Awards

Newcastle Lord Mayors Award - Small Project Award

Studio Work

We have completed a number of recording studio’s and acoustically enhanced performance spaces nationwide. Through a strong working relationship with acoustic specialists we are delivering various projects for schools, large companies and private clients.

We have completed specialist facilities at several universities, one off buildings such as Sunbeams Music Centre worked and with a number of high profile music producers nationwide. This work requires a collaborative spirit to ensure the technical requirements of the space are aligned with the design ambition.

There is a keen attention to technical detail required to create successful ambience. Our approach marries the physics of sound with an uncomplicated aesthetic approach.

Ellison Building Northumbria University