Kingswood College – Education Projects – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

As a civic beacon, Kingswood College of the Arts’ muscular form creates impact within its isolated site. A four-storey super-shed gathers all uses and announces itself with a saw-toothed roof and highly-glazed south-western face embracing a new public forecourt. Internally, the plan is organised around a top-lit central street lined with a series of flexible open plan studios for group and independent learning. The main staircase simplifies circulation and, in rising up through the inner street, creates both spectacle and opportunities for chance encounter. Robust in its making and bold in character, the Academy building currently caters for 1,300 students and 128 staff whilst incorporating an assortment of community facilities including training rooms, crèche, café and sports hall.