Project Overview

The redevelopment of the College’s Booth Lane Campus saw the demolition of the former buildings and the construction of a single ‘landmark’ structure with associated ancillary development in its place.

Project Value
£64,000,000
Project Value
Sustainability Features
BREEAM ‘Excellent’
Sustainability Features
Education Space
22,000 sq.m
Education Space
Logistics
Occupied Site
Logistics
Location
Northampton
Location
Completion Date
December 2012
Completion Date

The new building had to be built in two phases.

 

Initially, Blocks C, D, E and F were built alongside the existing campus, with the College moving into the new structure upon completion. This, in turn, allowed SDC to demolish the former campus and construct Blocks A and B.

The project was one of the most ambitious Further Education redevelopment ventures undertaken in the United Kingdom.

The project achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ thanks to innovative passive design measures and a range of low-carbon technologies.

Facilities included classrooms, ICT suites, lecture theatres, a library, workshops, a cafeteria, restaurant, underground recording studios, a sports hall and a TV station.

Phase 2 featured terracotta, curtain walling and composite cladding facades.

Internally, Phase 2 saw the addition of a main reception, sports hall, gym, teaching space, administration offices, meeting rooms and refectory.

Sustainability features included PV Arrays, Feature Green Roof, Biomass Boilers, Rainwater Harvesting.

Gary Brough, Vice Principal

“The biggest success of the project which led to the opening of the buildings on time and to budget was the working relationships. These developed into a relationship that was a “can do” one where solutions were found that met the needs of users and respected the budget.”

Core Team

Gary Wykes

Gary Wykes

Project Director

Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.

In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.

Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.

Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.

Adam Knaggs

Adam Knaggs

Contracts Manager

Adam has cultivated a celebrated career in construction management, culminating in his appointment as Managing Director in September 2021. His early exposure to the construction industry began with hands-on experience assisting his father in building agricultural structures. Following his GCSEs, Adam launched his own business, focusing on farming construction projects for a year. However, due to a decline in workload, he joined SDC in 1995.

Commencing his tenure as a Trainee Site Engineer, Adam has steadily advanced through a variety of site-based management roles, accumulating a wealth of experience and making substantial contributions to the company’s operations. In his capacity as Managing Director, he now plays a pivotal role in defining SDC’s strategic direction and ensuring the successful delivery of its diverse project portfolio. He also has overall responsibility for Health and Safety, and Quality departments.

Adam has led significant large-scale projects, including the Northampton College Redevelopment which, at the time, was one of the largest contracts in SDC’s history. His leadership on this project earned him recognition as a finalist in the Construction Manager of the Year Awards in 2009. Earlier in his career, Adam also received the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Site Engineer of the Year Award in 1999 for his innovative shuttering system design.

Beyond his project work, Adam has been an active participant in the broader construction industry. As Chair of the Cambridgeshire branch of the Chartered Institute of Building from 2016 to 2019, he promoted collaboration and professional development within the sector. More recently, he served as a trustee of the CFCI for three years. Under Adam’s guidance, SDC continues to advance its long-standing tradition of delivering quality construction projects, supported by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and community engagement.

Paul Cooper

Paul Cooper

Commercial Manager

Paul joined SDC in 1985 and is a Project Commercial Director with significant industry experience. He oversees the financial management of projects and provides pivotal commercial direction to the team. Paul has worked across a variety sectors and has repeatedly completed state-of-the-art schemes for world-renowned formula one clients. He consistently offers both technical expertise and strong leadership qualities, which he brings to the team with enthusiasm.
Matt Wells

Matt Wells

Planning Manager

Matt joined SDC in 2004 as a Planner, bringing with him a strong academic background with a BSc in Construction Management. His ability to strategically approach project planning, coupled with his attention to detail and organisational skills, enabled him to quickly make a significant impact within the company. Over the years, Matt’s leadership abilities propelled him through the ranks, ultimately leading to his promotion to Head of Planning. In this role, Matt oversees all planning operations, ensuring efficient and successful project execution across multiple sectors. In addition, he leads a team responsible for 3D modelling and animations. His extensive experience and dedication to excellence have made him a key figure in the continued success of SDC.