D5 Architects LLP - Projects
01/08/2008Harley Davidson Academy
Value: £750K (2005)
Area:
Contract: JCT with Contractors Design
Role: Lead Designer, Architect RIBA Work Stage A > L
Client: North East Worcestershire College
Sector: Education
The Bromsgrove campus has a long history in automotive and apprenticeship engineering with a close relationship with the former Rover factory at Longbridge. During 2004/ 05 the College was able to draw on this heritage to forge a public/ private partnership with Harley Davidson Motorcycles (HD) to develop a dedicated motorcycle maintenance training facility.
The Academy combines workshops and educational facilities for pupils within the only HD training centre in the UK.
The building is conceived as a singular form sitting within the campus. Clad in shear stainless steel composite panels on 3 elevations the simplicity of form plays upon the rigours of an engineered approach and the materiality of the machines inside. The single glazed elevation remains opaque giving an air of intrigue whilst animating the space between the buildings.