Institute of Technology

The Institute of Technology at the Bishop Burton College, Beverley Campus provides space for training students in the practical and theoretical aspects of precision agriculture, including the use of satellite technology and drones. The building sits in the heart of the campus, surrounded by a mix of teaching space and agricultural buildings. The majority of these buildings take the form of simple agricultural structures with low pitched roofs, having a utilitarian feel and clad externally in a mix of timber and profile sheet cladding.

The architecture of the IoT has been expressed as two elements; the main steel portal frame workshop and the single-storey lean-to teaching space. The large multi-purpose workshop has been wrapped in a simple vertical metal sheet cladding that lends a rhythm akin to the surrounding timber cladding while its tone and texture reflects the surrounding profile sheet cladding. The workshop includes full-height windows that flood the space with natural light, minimising the requirement for artificial lighting.

The lean-to teaching element contains three classrooms and ancillary accommodation. The classrooms benefit from tall ceilings that follow the profile of the roof. The expressed steel frame continues from the workshop, providing continuity of aesthetic that make the spaces feel connected. Externally, the classroom element is clad in vertical battens of machine-finished timber, providing a more tactile detail and finish. Rooflights are utilised throughout to help facilitate a natural cross-ventilation strategy.

The design celebrates the utilitarian qualities of the surrounding structures that include animal sheds, an equine arena and workshops. The scale and form of the IoT are designed to reflect the appearance and detail of the neighbouring context. The building achieves BREEAM “Very Good” status.