Taking on the university challenge is supporting growth at Midlands architects, Croft Architecture.

Croft Architecture has been successful in winning multiple design contracts at Keele University while also completing a raft of education projects elsewhere.

The firm has won praise for its ability to plan refurbishment programmes to allow extensive work to be completed while busy university buildings remained in use.

Keele, the UK’s largest campus university, has been the focus of a large modernisation programme in recent times. Led by MD Carl Croft, the Croft Architecture team has successfully bid for work on nine refurbishment and renovation projects across the North Staffordshire campus.

These included work on the Dorothy Hodgkin building to redesign and reconfigure facilities to allow for significant growth of the university’s Department of Psychology.

Croft Architecture were able to create flexible learning spaces – doubling the student capacity and ensuring the Dorothy Hodgkin building has a sustainable future.

The company also comprehensively designed the university’s Tawney building to provide modern office space and reception areas.

Managing Director Carl Croft said: “We have developed a strong working relationship with facilities managers at Keele. The university campus was largely developed in the 1950s and 60s and many of the buildings need work to ensure they continue to serve the students and staff well.

“At both the Dorothy Hodgkin and Tawney buildings it was important to stage the work in a flexible way as they were continually in use throughout refurbishment.”

“We were able to manage schedules to allow university life to continue with minimal disruption.”

Chris Weston, from the Keele University Estates team, said: “Regular client meetings and listening to University comment brought about a series of School Office refurbishments and relocations which have greatly enhanced appearance and functionality.

“Working closely with the building contractor, a difficult series of projects was executed in an environment where the building was in use throughout and planning of the work was essential.”

Croft Architecture has gained a reputation for its work in universities, colleges and schools. Other projects include a specialist education centre at the Rodbaston campus of South Staffordshire College and several school buildings including additional learning space at St Giles Primary School, Haughton, near Stafford, a new school hall, entrance and reception office at All Saints CE First School, Standon, near Stafford, and a new dining room and multi-purpose space at Churnet View Middle School, Leek.

South Staffordshire College
For further information on Croft Architecture please see: www.croftarchitecture.com