Now in its eighth month of its build, phase one of the long-running project – which cost about £62m. – is well under way and on-track.
‘It’s quite significant to be above the ground in some areas now,’ said Ash Dupre, head of education capital projects at the States.
‘It’s been long in the making – years in terms of the design and getting funding, so it’s really nice to be on site and see something coming out of the ground.’
The final product is set to be the island’s first single further education centre – bringing all vocational courses from the current three sites of The Guernsey Institute together.
It will house engineering workshops, construction workshops, arts centres and media studies, as well as The Institute of Social Care and the GTA University Centre.
Two of its lift shafts are now in-situ concrete, with the steel frame of the main building now swiftly taking form around them – in front of the current performing arts centre. The centre’s foyer will be extended to about double its original size, to form a cafeteria for the new institute.
‘This is going to be a really key area for the school,’ said Mr Dupre.
‘It will be used for both curriculum and then, out of hours, it will increase the capacity for performances and events.’
The hair and beauty facilities will be based on the ground floor, and above the cafeteria, windows and a roof are forming to house the new art spaces. To the west of the main building will sit a separate three-storey teaching block.
David Gausden, director of Design Engine Architects, which is working in partnership with the Tyrrell Dowinton Architects on the project, said the project was designed around external spaces – with two courtyards as its focal point. One of which will form the backdrop of the cafe – used for alfresco dining, and to create an outdoor performance space.
‘Being outside is a very Guernsey thing,’ he said.
‘It’s about enjoying the weather when it’s good and having access to green space. I hope it becomes a destination for the public to enjoy, as well as an education facility. This is the biggest project I’ve done in the island, so it’s very exciting to see it coming together.
‘It’s gone really well so far, it’s been well organised by the States, so we haven’t had any big issues. Of course there’s always unexpected things that happen on site, but we plan and prepare for that.’
Mr Dupre said, despite some issues with wet weather, he was confident that the project would come in within budget.
‘Of course it will,’ he said.
‘We’re fixed-cost on the build element. The only variables are the elements that we procure outside of the contract – the furniture, the fit-out and various equipment. But I always go into projects and say, “I’ve got a budget and I’ll operate within that”. So at the moment, yes I’m forecasting to be coming in on budget – absolutely.’
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