Coleg Y Cymoedd, Nantgarw

Brief

Formed in 2013, following the merger of College Ystrad Mynach and Coleg Morgannwg, Coleg y Cymoedd was created. Over the last few years, the South Wales college has invested more than £7m into its Nantgarw campus, transforming it into an award-winning centre of excellence for its 5,000 students.

Over two phases, Lancer Scott was commissioned for the refurbishment and fit out works at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, with the aim of improving facilities for those who work and study there.

Solution

The first project included the installation of a brand-new performing arts studio at its Sporting Centre of Excellence, newly built office suites plus additional rooms, as well as all electrical, lighting and mechanical alterations and upgrades to improve the college’s sports hall and enhance student experience.

To support the growth aspirations of the college, we created modern and collaborative office space for staff to the first floor of the sporting facility and built a glazed office suite for management teams.

At Block B of the Nantgarw campus, and catering to the expanding construction department, our team were responsible for the demolition of the existing block work bays, and installation of new workshop areas through partitioning. And within the Electrical workshop, we installed beautifully bespoke benches and timber bays to accommodate more learners at the college.

At phase two, our focus was on developing new and bespoke classrooms specifically for learners aged 16–25 with a wide range of additional learning needs. The college’s current teaching space no longer reflected the learning methods required to deliver a modern, hands-on Independent Life Skills (ILS) curriculum. While staff are skilled in adapting activities, the existing rooms limited opportunities for learners to practice independence safely and meaningfully.

The aim of the fit-out was all about building flexible, multi-purpose learning environments that replicate real-life home and community settings, including laundry area, kitchen space, shower room, and digital zone.

Fostering an inclusive environment for learners with different needs, the ILS Hub is suitable for small-group focused sessions as well as practical activities, and mirrors everyday contexts in which essential life skills are used, preparing learners for independent living and employability.

The changes implemented at Coleg y Cymoedd not only show a commitment to providing high-quality, future-proof spaces for learners and effective working areas for staff, but complements the previous refurbishment works that have taken place to enhance the campus. We’ve no doubt the recent refurbishment will positively enhance learner experience at the South Wales college.