West Midlands-based construction company mac-group has started work on a £5 million teaching facility at Joseph Chamberlain College in Birmingham.

The new 1500m² three-storey building will include 13 classrooms and learning spaces, including ICT, digital lounge and conference room. It will also include ancillary facilities for staff, such as meeting rooms and offices, plus a break-out lounge for students.

It will be used primarily for business studies. 

The scheme is the first for mac from the Procure Partnerships West Midlands Framework – which supports public sector bodies to procure contractor partners – after being selected as a supplier.

Ray O’Sullivan of mac-group, said: “We’re proud to have been selected as a supplier to the Procure Partnerships West Midlands Framework and are pleased to have begun the construction work on this new, much-needed building for Joseph Chamberlain College.”

The new building, designed by architect Glancy Nicholls, will sit within the existing college campus, in Balsall Heath, and will feature a brick work and copper cladding exterior, and a single storey entrance and reception facing the campus. 

It also includes a range of sustainable features, such as green and blue roof systems – designed to attenuate stormwater into the main drainage system, roof-mounted photovoltaic arrays and air source heat pump systems. Inside, underfloor heating will be installed throughout to maximise teaching space with natural and mechanical ventilation.

The works also include landscaping on the site. Completion is expected in Q1 2023.

Ramboll has been appointed to do structural engineering, while Virtus is project managing the build. DW Pointer is consultant for mechanical and electrical services.