Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology

The Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology is the first step in an ambitious masterplan to regenerate Crawley College’s campus and create a new home for advanced engineering, digital technologies and sustainable construction.

As the new arrival point at the edge of the site, the building gives the campus a clearer identity, strengthens its presence in the town and signals a new era of regional skills, collaboration and opportunity.

Designed to be flexible, visible and environmentally responsible, the ioT brings students, academics and industry partners together in a future-ready environment, setting the tone for the phased redevelopment that will follow.

This first phase of the building unlocks the wider campus transformation, replacing outdated facilities with a modern high-performing home for technical learning while consolidating two funding streams into one efficient asset.

What it delivers:

• A major first step in regenerating a predominantly 60s/70s campus through a strategic phased approach
• Flexible teaching spaces, learning factories and innovation labs that can evolve with new technologies, teaching methods and curriculum changes
• A stronger identity for the IoT, acting as a landmark that elevates its presence across the campus and wider community
• Spaces intentionally designed to support collaboration between students, academics and industry partners
• Social value through upskilling, employability pathways and live construction engagement opportunities.
• Inclusive design throughout, with neurodiversity-considered lighting, acoustics, colour and spatial clarity supporting a comfortable learning environment for all
• Colour-coded teaching zones that strengthen the IoT brand and make the building easier to navigate
• A civic-quality building that reflects regional pride and signals long-term investment in technical education

The building is positioned at the main gateway from Hanslett Avenue, creating a strong first impression and improving how people move through the campus. It’s framed by mature trees carefully placed to avoid root protection zones, while allowing access to a new ‘college green’ – a central natural hub for student life.

Inside, a four-storey central atrium brings light deep into the building and connects teaching floors visually, encouraging movement interaction and informal learning.

Colour-coded teaching zones support wayfinding and reinforce the IoT’s identity, while ground-floor transparency signal openness, innovation and activity to both the campus and the wider community.

Key features:

• A confident gateway building that reshapes first impressions and establishes a clearer campus identity
• Creation of a new ‘college green’ – a social and circulatory heart that improves student experience and campus life.
• A transparent ground floor that showcases activity inside the IoT and strengthens engagement between the building and the community
• A four-storey central atrium bringing daylight deep into the building, improving comfort, visibility and natural movement between floors
• High-tech spaces such as robotics, digital manufacturing suites and VR/AR-enabled labs supporting a more dynamic learning environment
• Direct yard access for workshops, enhancing practical teaching and industry-aligned training
• Material pallet referencing nearby campus buildings to create unity and cohesion across the masterplan
• Positive early feedback recognizing the building’s considered massing, refined architectural language and civic presence.

The result is a distinctive, welcoming and connected place that enhances the student experience and supports active collaboration

The Institute of Technology is designed as a sustainable exemplar within tight costs and programme restraints. Passive strategies, low-cost carbon systems and material efficiency underpin its performance, while visible engineering elements reinforce the educational mission.

Key Sustainability Features:

• Careful positioning to protect mature tree lines and avoid root protection zones and adding greenery into the regenerated campus
• Enhanced pedestrian and cycle connectivity and extensive EV charging provisions supporting sustainable travel
• Orientation-led daylighting and mechanically assisted natural ventilation stack
• Fossil-fuel-free operation through air-source heat pumps and rooftop photovoltaic panels
• Modular façade designed for future disassembly, material reuse and reduced construction waste
• Inverted roof system and rain gardens supporting water management and sustainable drainage
• Digital twin/BIM integration from concept to delivery, optimising performance and long-term management
• Real-time BMS dashboards enabling students to learn directly from the building’s environmental behaviour
• Ready for future connection to Crawley’s district heating network supporting long-term decarbonisation