Learning Resource Centre | Bournemouth and Poole College
Footprint Architects were appointed to redevelop the Learning Resource Centre at the Lansdowne campus of Bournemouth and Poole College, reviving a Grade II listed structure into a vibrant, contemporary environment fit for modern further education.
Though the building held historic status, its interior had long lost any sense of character. A dated 1990s mezzanine crowded the space, with suspended ceilings blocking natural light and generic finishes masking original features. The college sought a space that would reflect the quality of its learning environment, enhance wellbeing, and support contemporary pedagogies.
Sustainability
- Low embodied carbon through sensitive retrofit
- Reuse of existing structure and reinstatement of original fabric
- Improved natural daylighting and ventilation for occupant wellbeing
Context & Place
- Grade II listed heritage asset brought back into prominence
- Design celebrates existing historic character while accommodating modern educational use
- Enhances a key building at the centre of Lansdowne’s civic fabric
People & Communities
- Supports differentiated learning with zoned curriculum areas
- Improves spatial legibility and orientation for staff and students
- Creates an uplifting, flexible environment to support independent study and collaboration
Revealing History, Reimagining Learning
Our design approach followed a twofold strategy. The first was a sensitive stripping back of ill-conceived alterations. The removal of the mezzanine, ceilings, and finishes revealed the inherent beauty of the building’s brickwork arches and reinstated previously concealed heritage features—such as an oriel window and the original cloister volumes. Natural daylight now floods through rediscovered rooflights, and new glazed meeting rooms sit neatly within the restored arched cloisters. A re-routed entrance beneath the historic bell tower reinforces legibility and arrival.
The second move brought order, identity, and usability to the space. We organised the LRC around curriculum clusters, supporting wayfinding and pedagogy. Each zone is subtly defined by colour, texture, and furniture height—offering students clarity and choice in how and where they study. A new timber-lined ceiling at the entrance highlights arrival and orientation, bridging heritage with contemporary intervention.
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Enhancing Further Education Estates with Sustainable Retrofit
To create a bright and inviting space, the mezzanine level was removed, restoring the room to its original Victorian grandeur. This design approach not only highlights the building’s historical features but also increases daylight penetration. High ceilings improve air circulation, providing natural ventilation and a more comfortable environment.
The unobstructed layout fosters inclusivity, uniting students and staff in a central hub. This holistic approach transforms the Learning Resource Centre into a space that enhances both functionality and user experience.
Relevant Projects
Innovative Secondary School New Build Expansion to Replace Modular Buildings
Award Winning Entrance Pavilion & Expansion of a Grade II Listed Victorian School
Get Your Project Off The Ground
Get in touch today to kick-start your project. Let us know a few details and we’ll be in touch to discuss bringing your vision to life. Or call us on 01202 818 966