Nottingham College - Comprehensive internal refurbishment of Grade II* Listed Adams Building

Nottingham College is one of the largest further education colleges in the United Kingdom. Based in the city of Nottingham, it provides education and training from pre-entry through to university-degree level, at its nine Nottinghamshire-based centres.

J Tomlinson was appointed by Nottingham College to manage a comprehensive internal refurbishment scheme across the College’s Adams Building – a Grade II* listed building created in the 1800s, and the largest in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market.

Works comprised internal alterations, repairs, maintenance, plus the relocation of facilities, to help create new spaces for existing and future Nottingham College students.

The scheme commenced in late spring 2020 and marks the first awarded to J Tomlinson via Crown Commercial Service’s Building Works & Minor Associated Works framework, which was established in 2019 to facilitate the delivery of best value efficient building and civil engineering projects for central government and the wider public sector.

Phased Working

The first phase of works comprised creation of new kitchenettes, doorsets, flooring, a bar servery, sub-division of existing rooms with partitions, replacement of small power and lighting, plus relocation of the existing kitchen equipment to create a new facility in the building’s brasserie kitchen.

The second phase of the project saw J Tomlinson manage the removal of the College’s hair and beauty salon facilities from its Beeston and Clarendon campuses, followed by reinstatement within the Adams Building. Careful co-ordination and pre-scheduled deliveries ensured minimal disruption to either campus during removal, transport, and installation of equipment.

J Tomlinson was commended by the client and wider project team for their ‘efficient, positive and cooperative approach’, which saw the first phase of works (handed over in summer 2020) delivered ahead of programme and in time for the College to welcome students at the start of the new academic year.

COVID-19 Safe Working

Works were carried out in a COVID-safe manner, with strict adherence to the College’s and J Tomlinson’s own robust health and safety standards, as well as government social distancing guidelines, helping to ensure the safety and protection of building occupants, the project team and members of the public.

Sympathetic Refurbishment Project – Grade II* Listed Building

This highly anticipated scheme saw J Tomlinson’s refurbishment and engineering department work closely with conservationist specialists to deliver a sympathetic refurbishment and restoration project across the 1800s-built, Grade II* Listed Adams Building whilst retaining its striking exterior and interior features and preserving its exalted heritage status and aesthetic.

SYMPATHETIC REFURBISHMENT OF GRADE II* LISTED BUILDING: J Tomlinson worked closely with conservationist specialists to deliver a sympathetic refurbishment and restoration project. Careful consideration was taken in the design process to ensure that the completed works match the existing fabric of the building, whilst enhancing the existing learning facilities for students and staff

CROWN COMMERCIAL SERVICES FRAMEWORK: The scheme marks the first awarded via Lot 1.1.1. of Crown Commercial Service’s Building Works & Minor Associated Works framework, established to facilitate the delivery of best value efficient building and civil engineering projects for central government and the wider public sector

PHASED PROJECT: Phased working helped ensure minimal disruption to the College and the public throughout the scheme

LOCAL PROJECT: The Adams Building is the latest Nottingham city-centre based redevelopment project delivered by J Tomlinson, with previous refurbishment schemes undertaken at Broadway Cinema, National Justice Museum (formerly the Galleries of Justice), the William Booth Museum, and Dagfa House, Beeston