ABSTRACT
University technical colleges (UTC) are a relatively new concept in education, offering students the opportunity to take a highly-regarded, full-time, vocational course of study. Royal Greenwich UTC is a coeducational college for 600 students aged 14–19, offering GCSE, A-level and technical courses. Specialising in engineering and construction, the UTC has a particular focus on transport and sustainable technology, and equips students with practical skills that often lead to apprenticeships, higher education or employment. The UTC has two main built elements: a new three-storey building, and a refurbished single-storey industrial building. The sawtooth roof and structural steel frame were restored, and new floors and walls were introduced to make the best use of space and respect the building’s original character. The new building uses a palette of robust materials: dark brick, flat roofing, aluminium-framed windows and metal mesh cladding allow the UTC to fit into its local context.
