Derby, Derbyshire
Over the years, The Roundhouse has been under major restoration, transforming the Grade II listed building into Derby College, allowing young people to use the site for work experience to learn modern construction and restoration techniques.
Maber Architects asked Turentek to provide some ideas for the interior refurbishments of the building, following the brief of providing a ‘railway feel’ to reflect the history of the building, as well as complying with the latest BS8300 DDA requirements.
To conform to the Railway theme, pull handles with an ovate grip were chosen from Instinct Hardware in Birmingham; their long forms helped create the impression of a rail track.
Dealing with the 140 year old doors, which possessed large, gated openings to allow steam engines to pass, and huge pivoting room divider screens, was challenging. For the Oak final exit doors, Panic hardware was selected to create the historic backdrop and had wheelchair accessibility. Door seals provided both weather protection and secure hosing for the Pullman actions.
Working closely with the Estates team of the college, Turentek designed a flexible master keyed scheme, which worked through Kaba’s new Pextra cylinder system. This gave individual tuition groups, such as Hair and Beauty, Woodworking, Building Trades and Plumbing, their own departments, whilst allowing cross campus control to Estates, Catering and I.T.
Lastly, we upgraded the locks, which were over 100 years old, whilst succeeding in sympathetically retaining the old style of the knobs and furniture.
The Roundhouse was highly commended in the 2016 RIBA/ GAI awards.
Iconic interior of The Roundhouse.