Plymouth College of Art has appointed Mansell through the Construction Framework South West for a £4 million project to design and build a new art, craft and digital design workshop block on an area of vacant land adjoining the college in the centre of the city.

The two-storey building will be robust and easily maintained given the nature of the activities they will accommodate.


The scheme aims to achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. Sustainable features include heat recovery processes, and renewable, low, or zero carbon technologies are also being considered.

The new workshops are the first phase of a master plan to redevelop the college as part of Plymouth Council’s “Vision for Plymouth” urban redevelopment plan.

Construction begins in the summer of 2012, with completion timed for the start of the 2013 academic year.

(CD/GK)