SB 4154 Web

Case Study
At the double!
A £12m scheme, funded by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which
aims to create a world-class engineering workforce on the Isle of Wight, has been
shortlisted for two industry awards.
The Centre of Excellence for
Composites, Advanced Manufacturing
and Marine (CECAMM) – a new
educational facility at the Isle of Wight
College – has been nominated for a Royal
Institute of British Architects (RIBA) [IW] and
IW Society Design and Conservation Awards
and a Local Authority Building Control (LABC)
Regional Building Excellence Award for the
best educational building in the south east.
Leading property, construction and
infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard
delivered full multi-disciplinary services for the
project – designing the building as well as
acting as quantity surveyors, project managers
and mechanical and electrical engineers –
which provides 3,050m 2 of high quality
teaching facilities and flexible workshops for
up to 500 engineering students.
“We’re delighted that the CECAMM has been
nominated for two prestigious awards,
showcasing the success of such a worthy
development,” said Rod Burton, partner at Pick
Everard. “We achieved a BREEAM design rating
of ‘very good’ by incorporating sustainable
solutions – such as rainwater attenuation and
optimised use of day-lighting – within the
design.
“Due to the nature of the clients’ requirements,
the project challenged the design team from
the outset, particularly the mechanical and
electrical engineers, as they had to work to
very exacting standards when producing
specifications for the specialist equipment
needed. Surface water was also a particular
challenge, resulting in the design and
construction of swales, these shallow
channels now serve to enhance the local
habitat and landscape quality within the site
by collecting water.
“This new facility will contribute to a
sustainable, long-term economic
development on the island, hopefully
encouraging young students to seek their
career path here. The design was a team effort
within a very tight budget with guidance from
island employers to give students the skills
they need for work.”
The CECAMM Centre, situated at
Whippingham Technology Park, East Cowes,
provides training in numerous specialist
industries, including 3D printing, bench fitting,
boat construction and design, marine
engineering and fabrication.
“This world-class facility is intended to meet
the needs of our prestigious island employers
and offers students a broad experience of
engineering skills, designed to support them
building careers and maintaining the
reputation of the Island as a focal point of
engineering excellence,” explained Debbie
Lavin, principal of The Isle of Wight College.
“As such, the design of the building and its
content was fundamental to supporting that
vision and I am delighted that is achieving
those aims. Students and employers have all
agreed that in operation the facility more than
meets the very high expectations it was
conceived for. It is a wonderful place to work
and study and I am proud of it and all who
contributed to it being here.”
The RIBA [IW] and IW Society Design and
Conservation Awards celebrates the best
architecture across the Isle of Wight. The
winners of the LABC Regional Building
Excellence Awards – which celebrates
achievements in the construction industry –
will be announced in June.
All images © Balfour Beatty
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