Tameside College

We were asked by fit out specialists, ICON Projects Ltd to deliver the internal decorating package at Tameside College’s Ashton-under-Lyne town centre campus development.

As part of Tameside Council’s ‘Vision Tameside’ plan, the project encompassed the transformation of an existing retail building adjacent to the college into a new 70,000sq. ft post-16 learning hub, with the aim to extend the college’s student learning space to meet growing demands.

The remodelled internal spaces included an open plan circulation space, meeting rooms and pods, eleven classrooms, additional examination spaces, restrooms, a kitchen and numerous BOH areas.

With the college destined to become a high traffic environment, the surface finishes not only needed to look good but also provide long-term durability and cleanability. A Dulux specification was chosen for the plasterboard and MDF walls, ceilings and woodwork as well as the metal Ribdeck.

We used the tough, cleanable Diamond Eggshell on the walls, Vinyl Matt on the ceilings, Diamond Eggshell on the woodwork and in the wet zones we applied Mouldshield Vinyl Matt. We also applied Metalshield Satin to the ribdeck. Most of the areas were painted in a warm earthy neutral palette using ‘Wonderland White’ and ‘Weathered Pebble’, which combined with the black skirting and feature oak panelling created a calm and welcoming space. We also used accent colours on three feature walls.

With a new intake of students due to arrive in September, the programme deadlines on this project were critical. As such, and with Tameside College being our first project for ICON, we worked to form a close, collaborative relationship with their team ensuring all SHEQ compliance was in place and any project-specific requirements were met.

Work began intermittently in May before building up to four fast-paced weeks in June. Our site team were mindful of operating in a live college environment, ensuring professional, polite conduct at all times. ICON’S proactive approach to planning and collaboration was hugely beneficial on this project – we attended daily briefings to plan and coordinate works, mitigating any clashes and hold-ups.

Throughout the project, we managed the disposal of waste by recycling all empty paint tubs through Dulux’s Recycling Scheme.

It was rewarding for us to be a part of this well managed project and watch the successful transformation come to life, resulting in a modern, attractive learning environment.

Photo Credit: ICON Projects Ltd