TFQ worked alongside Teignmouth Community School and Mercury Construction to design and implement the conversion of the existing gymnasium into a new Sixth Form facility and examination hall. 

The design included the construction of a first floor into the existing gym hall to provide an upstairs Exam Hall with acoustic separation from the rest of the building.

On the ground floor, a new student common area and kitchen were created, along with a large open-plan study area for the students to utilise. There are also new offices, toilets and meeting space.

The general concept was centred around an extension designed as a curved ‘mask’ wrapping around the prominent north elevation of the building. 

The mask formed a curved element with vertical emphasis which is used to contain a new gateway entrance into the sixth form centre consisting a double height entry space and feature stair gaining access up to the new mezzanine level. This also provided a more inclusive design addressing issues of access for disabled visitors and students. The ground floor spaces have been largely opened up to provide a mix of stimulating and contemporary spaces in order to encourage sixth form students to remain on campus during the school day. Further more the existing building was given a crisp coat of sharp render, with new fenestration, together with upgrades to its thermal qualities and general services in order to vastly improve its overall efficiency in terms of running costs and general maintenance.

“TFQ have worked closely with the school over the past two years, preparing and assisting with our bids to the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund.  Their attention to detail has been exemplary, born out by the fact that several of the bids have been successful.  Their initial design, to accurate pricing, through management of the projects to completion has been outstanding and we could not have hoped for a better outcome with projects from a £1,000,000 Sixth Form Centre, to a £20,000 play area for our primary school.”

Manda Stone

Assistant Principal, School Manager

Teignmouth Community School