RYDER Architecture has won a design contract with Carillion Construction on a £24.3m project to build or refurbish three academies on Teesside.
The Newcastle firm is now working on the Stockton Batched Academies project, which will see improvement at North Shore Health Academy and Thornaby Academy in Stockton and at Freebrough Academy in Brotton.
Ryder was selected for the work after a pre-ITT phase reduced the 12 original bidders down to two. The winning team was selected upon the quality of design and value for money as well as demonstrating the ability to deliver.
The largest of the three academies, the North Shore Health Academy (NSHA), is the only NHS- sponsored academy in the country.
Work at the site, which provides vocational training for 16-19- year-olds, includes building a “myplace” youth facility, a construction workshop, hair and beauty section and all weather sports pitches.
Work is expected to start within weeks and be completed by April next year. Ryder director Richard Wise said: “The design brief asks for a solution which demonstrates affordability, is of a high quality and uses innovative design features to enable the delivery of its dual-function purposes.
“We have extensive experience of designing educational environments which significantly enhance capacity for learning whilst raising aspirations.
“We are confident that our design not only satisfies the brief but goes beyond its requirements.”
Stockton Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Ann McCoy, said: “We are delighted with the proposed designs and look forward to working closely with all three academies and seeing construction get underway.
“All three projects will create facilities which will help young people access an education they can be proud of and realise their aspirations and ambitions.
“The investment in the academies will also improve the lifestyles of young people, their families and the wider Tees Valley community.”
The architect will work on a £5.5m refurbishment of the main buildings at Thornaby Academy and the development of a BETA Centre (Business and Enterprise Thornaby Academy).