'New high-quality space': Major update on massive £1.6m scheme to expand Sunderland school

The scheme, which included an expansion of the dining and catering facilities at Christ's College as well as the creation of a multipurpose space, was executed at a site operated by Emmanuel Schools Foundation and welcomes students aged four to 16.

Building on a long-standing professional relationship, ESF appointed Howarth Litchfield as project architect. Other specialist firms, including Steel River Consultants, also supported work on the project.

Howarth Litchfield has supported ESF since the 1990s, delivering architectural solutions across several schools including recent work at The King's Academy in Middlesbrough.

Jonathan Yates, managing director of Howarth Litchfield and project architect for the scheme, said: "We have collaborated with Mark Boyers, director of facilities, for many years and we were delighted to be invited to assist him with this project.

“Mark had been exploring options to improve the dining experience and by rethinking an early concept sketch, we developed a large multi-use space that resolves the dining challenges whilst providing a flexible venue for parents’ evenings, performances and presentations."

The extension has doubled the size of both the dining and kitchen areas so current pupils can be comfortably accommodated within a three sitting lunch timetable and future growth can be supported.

Mrs J Normanton, principal of the school, added: "At ESF we are fortunate to benefit from ongoing investment in our premises with a rolling programme of updates and modifications. The completed dining hall at Christ’s College has greatly enhanced the facilities available to students and staff and will benefit many generations still to come.

“This new, high-quality space has enabled the school to further serve the community in which we are located through community events as well as lettings. We are delighted with the outcomes of this significant development project."

Other members of the professional team included building contractor T Manners of Bishop Auckland, structural and civil engineering from BGP while mechanical and electrical engineering was provided by DTA Consulting Engineers of Stockton.