At Marlborough College, Skelly & Couch is leading on the M&E and environmental design for the refurbishment and extension of the Wiltshire school’s science and technology laboratory buildings. The phased strategy of the College’s ambitious building and STEM educational programme has been carefully planned to minimise any disruption to the school curriculum.

Skelly & Couch has initiated work on a significant and sensitive update of the fabric and facilities of the College’s Grade II-listed Newton Science building, where sustainability is a driving principle with minimum intervention to the listed structure. At the same time, the firm has been applying its environmental expertise on a new and completed state-of-the-art Innovation Centre, which benefits from a range of outstanding sustainable features, including a thermally efficient envelope, photovoltaic panels, natural ventilation, excellent daylighting and reduced water consumption. 

Set over two levels, 1000sqm of cutting-edge, flexible teaching space and temporary laboratories at the Innovation Centre are the focus of migrated teaching activities from the Newton Building to allow construction work at the the listed building to progress. Once this is complete, the Design Technology Department will take full ownership of the Innovation Centre, which comprises a wide variety of flexible and dynamic learning spaces, from large auditoria, to private study areas and collaboration pods, reflecting the College’s goal to push the boundaries of science education. 

An ‘A’ Energy Rating has been achieved for the Innovation Centre.