Loxdale English Centre, Portslade, Brighton

RIBA Stage: 0-6 (Design & Construction)

Project Value: £300,000

Sector: Education

Consultants: Everest Miles (Contractor), Archidata (Measured Survey), CMK Planning (Planning Consultant)

Years of piecemeal extensions had left this foreign language school with an inconsistent layout and rooms of varying quality, limiting its ability to grow.

We produced a site-wide feasibility study looking at how the facility could be improved as a whole, by relocating the canteen, adding further classrooms, and significantly increasing sleeping accommodation to support the school's revenue and service offer.

We then developed a phasing strategy so the improvements could be delivered without disrupting term-time operation. Phase 1 converted underused storage space into six additional bedrooms and bathrooms, alongside a refurbishment of the kitchen and lounge areas, with the sleeping accommodation designed to comply with HMO guidance given the shared living arrangement.

As Portslade architects with extensive experience in educational projects, we know a facilities or development manager needs a plan that works in stages, not just an end vision.