Renovated campus facilities open after major refurb

A £750,000 refurbishment project has transformed Leeds College of Building’s North Street Campus following an eight-week renovation.

Fit-out specialist, Lodestone Projects, managed the summer works which have rejuvenated the site and created contemporary facilities for construction students.

Building work took place over four floors and included turning the former library into a “student enrichment area.”

The open-plan space includes a gaming area, TV lounge, meeting room, Student Services office, fixed seating study area, and a co-working bench.

The reception and cafe areas were upgraded into a larger communal zone with fresh decoration, flooring, power, and IT.

Corridors and staircases across floors were also refreshed with new wall graphics and energy-efficient lighting.

Upper levels of the building were reconfigured to create a new learning resource centre, additional teaching spaces, teaching and support rooms, and a staff training room in place of the old student common room.

Josh Donnelly, joint managing director at Lodestone, said: “This has been such a rewarding and nostalgic project for Lodestone staff, given how many of our employees are current or former apprentices at Leeds College of Building.

“It was great to give something back to the institution that taught our professionals the skills needed to succeed in the construction industry.

“We’re thrilled with the results and hope the next generation of talent can benefit from these modern facilities as they learn their crafts.”

The renovation project at North Street Campus is part of an upgrade programme to align the site with the college’s modern South Bank Campus.

Alongside contractors Lodestone, design consultancy Fuse Studios oversaw the interior design with Turner & Townsend appointed for project and cost management.

Mike Harris, director at Fuse Studios, said: “We were happy to work alongside long-term clients Leeds College of Building, to refurbish its existing premises on North Street.

“The intention was to bring some of the design principles established with the college’s South Bank Campus buildings – also designed by Fuse Studios – to North Street, and so enrich the students’ learning environment.

“I’m pleased with the results and believe the project has successfully achieved its objectives, whilst moving towards the college’s aim of unifying its estates.”

Ewan Shaw, director at Turner & Townsend, said: “It was great to work with the team at the college and Fuse Studios once again to deliver such a fantastic campus renovation.

David Pullein

“Successful construction projects rely on teamwork, excellent communication, and trust amongst all of the partner teams and the North Street refurbishment was a great example of how this all came together to create such a fabulous learning facility.”

Leeds College of Building vice principal – finance & resources, David Pullein, added: “We’re thrilled that our established partners Lodestone, Fuse Studios, and Turner & Townsend once again helped us to achieve our vision of creating accessible, modern student facilities.

“We want all students to feel welcome, comfortable, and supported here.

“It’s vital we offer exceptional and inclusive learning environments to attract the diverse workforce needed to meet huge industry demands.”