DLA Architecture have recently completed the Beacon Centre at Blackburn College in a fast paced 16 month contract.

 

The Beacon Centre is part of the wider masterplan at Blackburn College, sitting in the heart of the campus and provides 8,600m2 of teaching, library, social and administrative accommodation.

 

The concept for the Beacon Centre evolved to give the best possible balance of efficiency in terms of structure, teaching spaces, day lighting, natural ventilation and cost.  Through the use of natural and mechanical ventilation, heat source pumps and solar collectors, the Beacon Centre has been awarded BREEAM ‘Excellent’.

 

The scheme has been greatly received by the client, and he has commented “Having been involved in both the design and building phases of the Beacon Centre for Blackburn College, there are two aspects of the Building that impress me the most: it is now normal for us to expect high quality buildings on time and to budget but I was genuinely surprised how great the space feels…..The atrium is a large space with a single service desk, very well designed, functionally for our staff and students.  It is how the space has been designed with the points of interest including the use of curves, clear glazed views and zones that flow into one another which provide a sense of vibrancy to the space. ....”

 

The Beacon Centre strengthens DLA’s relationship with the College, having previously delivered several other phases for the overall campus masterplan.