Bournemouth and Poole College – Flexible Learning Spaces

Bournemouth and Poole College needed a next generation learning space designed to cut energy, remove fossil fuels and support hands-on technical training.

The real-world spaces included seven commercial kitchens, a public restaurant and a fuselage room with an aircraft cabin.

Setting a bold brief for modern technical learning

We were appointed by Kier Construction through the Department for Education’s (DfE) HVB CF21 framework. Our role covered building services engineering, net zero carbon modelling and climate-based daylight modelling. Early assessments identified a challenge: energy consumption could hold back the college’s net zero ambition. That finding helped set priorities.

We focused on simple ideas that would make a big difference — use less energy, recycle what you can and design spaces that fit naturally into the day to day rhythm of a busy college.

Smart systems that cut energy without cutting performance

We developed an integrated strategy to reduce demand and remove fossil fuels. A heat recycling system captures waste heat from ICT equipment, then repurposes it for domestic hot water.

The commercial kitchens are all electric, removing reliance on gas. Advanced ventilation systems recirculate air within the kitchens, cutting ventilation energy by more than 80 percent. Daylight modelling shaped the building form and glazing to bring in natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Each move supports comfort as well as efficiency. Students get spaces that feel good to work in. Staff get systems that are simple to run and maintain. It is engineering that works in real life.

A high-performing, future-ready college building

The final design meets the DfE’s Annex 2H Net Zero Carbon benchmarks. It also integrates high demand spaces — kitchens, restaurant and aviation training — without sacrificing comfort or usability.

The result is a flexible, high-performing learning environment that reduces operational carbon and lowers utility costs over time. By turning waste heat into a resource and removing fossil fuels, the building supports the college’s educational mission and its long-term sustainability goals.