28th June 2019
South Devon College are starting to see the Hi Tech & Digital Centre take shape now. Work is moving at such a fast pace now that it is impossible to keep up with the changes that are happening inside and outside the building. However, there are many elements of the building that are now complete and ready for moving equipment into the facility.
The screening suite has now had the seating and the 7.1 surround sound system fitted which will provide the most dynamic of cinematic experiences with helicopters flying around you or, if you are gaming, hearing your opponents sneaking up on you and able to react knowing where they are. The video in this room can be cast out to multiple rooms all through the centre meaning that the potential for conferences taking place here is well beyond what was possible before.
The interior running along the main central area of the building on the higher levels is looking satisfyingly complete with carpets laid down, a lot of bright white walls and clean glass fronting every room. It is an ultra-modern and futuristic looking environment not just in the education sector but even up against other large workplace facilities as well.
Looking within classrooms and other spaces in the Hi Tech & Digital Centre, it is clearer now to imagine how the spaces will be used. The size of some of these rooms will completely revolutionise the way that students from different subject areas will collaborate with their studies, enhanced by the cross-curricular focus that staff are placing on courses that are delivered within the Hi Tech & Digital Centre. As well as the rooms on the sides of the building, there are many communal spaces and numerous seating areas for meetings between students and/or companies to take place anywhere to brings new ideas to life. These areas will be located on all levels but the most space will be down in the vibrant and inspiring ‘Street’ which follows directly out of The Street on the ground floor of the main campus that exists already.
The communal aspect will benefit those externally just as much as it will internally too. With plans to have local schools involved with activities that take place at the Hi Tech & Digital Centre, it is a common goal across local businesses and South Devon College to address the skills gap that have existed for too long in Torbay’s Hi-Tech industry. Introducing the next generation to the possibilities of this career early on will ensure that as many people are as informed as possible about a career in the Hi-Tech industry.
Recent developments have been the central staircase of the building being concreted and handrails assembled and the ground floor being polished down. But the most jaw-dropping of all features is the exterior LED lighting for the building. This was installed and configured by the same people that had prepared the lighting show for the 2012 London Olympics. It shows great flare and gives the building and what it stands for an even greater identity than it already had. The lighting system is programmable to be animated and can emit over 5 million different colours. It truly is a sight to behold. With Photonics being one of the many Hi-Tech industries that the College is targeting to reduce skill gaps in with the new Centre, this emphasis on light is a nice touch.
For more information about the Hi Tech & Digital Centre, you can see everything related to the Hi Tech & Digital Centre on our website or you can contact the College on 08000 380 123 or email [email protected].
The Hi Tech & Digital Centre (HTDC) combines £8.3m from the Heart of the South West LEP’s Growth Deal funding from the Heart of the South West LEP, as well as funding support from European Regional Development Fund, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Torbay Council, South Devon College and private sector investment. It will be a flagship facility, alongside other Institutes of Technology developments in the country.
