Construction of a £6m state-of-the-art teaching centre at Cardinal Newman College has started.

The 1,200 sq metre St Catherine Building will house the Catholic sixth form college’s expanding media and art departments.

Delivered by J Greenwood Builders Ltd, the development is due to finish in January 2025.

Focused on further enhancing the college’s academic offering, the ‘art quarter’ will integrate TV and digital media departments with existing art facilities, while also providing eternal landscaped space.

Read more: Cardinal Newman College plans to create Art Quarter

The new facility will deliver a cutting-edge TV studio, fully-equipped photo studio, dedicated graphics, art, and media rooms alongside additional classrooms with dedicated open learning areas, staff rooms and offices.

Designed to satisfy the requirements of the Department for Education specification of Net Zero in Operation, St Catherine Building will greatly reduce the energy required to operate and maintain such a structure.

Adrian Rooney, managing director of Manchester-based J Greenwood Builders, said: “It’s a privilege to be working with Cardinal Newman College on this genuinely exciting and ambitious project. 

“The challenging logistics and highly technical design of the building are something our experienced team, supported by talented designers and our long-established and trusted supply chain, look forward to progressing.”

A spokesperson for the College said: “We are delighted that work has begun on our new St Catherine Building. The building will be a fabulous addition to the College’s already excellent facilities, providing additional classrooms and studio spaces for our creative subjects, including Media, Photography and Graphic Design. 

“We are also really proud that this new build will also support the College’s carbon commitment, whilst providing state-of-the-art facilities for our students to work and learn in.”

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