As part of its major development programme to provide enhanced educational facilities and a wider range of courses and training opportunities, Tamworth and Lichfield College appointed Hickton Madeley Associates to design a modern, efficient and impressive major New Learning Centre at their Tamworth campus.

The progressive move towards lower energy consumption and reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide has reinforced the traditional approach for design of services for classrooms. In formulating a design philosophy for this development, BCA and HMA adopted natural ventilation, heat recovery systems and temperature compensating modulating heating systems. Only in rooms with high internal heat gains was it necessary to install comfort cooling systems to provide the correct environment.

It is perceived that the approach adopted is the most energy efficient, relatively low cost, simple, and complies with basic cost yardsticks for educational facilities. It is enshrined as a preferred design solution in Building Bulletin 87 ‘Guidelines for Environmental Design in Schools’ published by the architects and building branch of the Department of Education and Employment.

The modern, efficient and attractive facilities provided under this project have led to a substantial increase in both student numbers and staff appreciation of the teaching environment.

In addition, the general ambience of the area has been enhanced by the measures taken to reduce the impact of noise pollution from the adjacent West Coast Mainline railway system.