Architecture

Desertcreat College

Brief

This project could be considered a world first.  It was instigated by recommendation one hundred and thirty one of the Patten report on the future of policing in Northern Ireland.  The intention being to provide a combined centre of excellence for and the development of, the police, prison and fire and rescue services.  As well as achieving economies of scale, the facility is intended to promote inter-operability and understanding of how each organisation responds to the processes and procedures that need adhered to in varying emergency situations.  The brief included main teaching and sports facilities, an accommodation block together with specialist requirements including DCU, public order and tactical training villages.  Dog kennels, firearms ranges, combined operational and fire training facilities together with a parade ground were also to be included, with a  capital cost of one hundred and twenty seven million pounds.

Response

As the physical campus is a critical component of the college's existence our approach was to analyse every aspect of the context and develop our understanding of the specialist nature of the accommodation.  We rigorously applied the principles which had been established into every decision related to the college planning, in order to create a "unique" sense of place that reinforced and emphasised the site cohesion and hierarchy of spaces.  Our response was therefore "people focused" and sought to reinforce the positive effects of design – outlook, daylight, ventilation, functionality, practicality and human scale to positively reinforce the users training experiences.

Outcome

The invitation to tender attracted an international response from over sixty firms and following evaluation, six practices were invited to submit proposals as part of a limited design competition.   We led a full design team in the development of our proposals and then on to final interview.   Although not selected, the feedback received indicated that our response to the site constraints and understanding of the educational pedagogy classroom design and the flexibility of the buildings was well received.

Team