Project Brief
South Gloucester and Stroud College approached Elite Systems to create a bespoke modular gatehouse for its WISE campus (West of England Institute of Specialist Education). The college required a modern, eye-catching entrance building that would welcome visitors and reflect the high-quality sports and arts facilities across the site.
Key elements of the brief included:
- A distinctive architectural design with a ‘floating’ roof canopy
- A compact six-metre square footprint
- Full-height glazing to maximise visibility and natural light
- High-end external finishes suited to a flagship vocational campus
- Sustainable, energy-efficient heating
- A fast on-site installation programme with minimal disruption
The brief called for a modular solution that combined aesthetic impact with practical performance, delivering both a strong visual identity and a functional workspace for campus administration.
Client
South Gloucester and Stroud College
Sector
Education
Location
Bristol
Our Approach
To meet SGS College’s vision for a distinctive and highly functional gatehouse, we developed a fully bespoke modular design that could be precision-built offsite and installed quickly with minimal disruption to the WISE campus.
Our design team worked closely with the college to engineer the standout ‘floating’ roof canopy, integrating the glulam timber supports directly into the building’s structure. This ensured the architectural impact they wanted without compromising stability or efficiency.
The gatehouse was manufactured in two modules within our factory, enabling controlled production, consistent quality and rapid on-site assembly. We carefully coordinated the glazing layout, cladding profiles and aluminium detailing to achieve the premium aesthetic described in the brief.
Sustainability was also central to our approach. We incorporated an air source heat pump to provide energy-efficient heating and reduce the long-term carbon footprint of the building.
By combining bespoke design with modular construction, we delivered a fast, flexible, and architecturally striking solution that fulfilled every aspect of the client’s brief.
Next story
Blackmore Primary School →
Groundwork challenges at Ysgol Ifor Bach Primary School
Groundwork challenges at Ysgol Ifor Bach Primary School
Bardney Playgroup
Bardney Playgroup
Hyde Community College
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think