New state-of-the-art Physical Training Centre and Gymnasium for Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth. The purpose built facility provides equipment for up to 800 people which include both Cadets and BRNC Staff.

The importance of not impacting the existing college from a heritage aspect meant that the new facility would be largely retained on the lower levels to keep the ridge height as low as possible. The building form incorporates environmental sensitive and construction forms such as environmentally friendly materials to minimise emissions and reduce BRNC’s carbon footprint, while also improving energy consumption and the building’s resilience to adverse climate change. The building is now complete and in operation has proven to be a significant asset to the college.

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The site is in the close vicinity of the existing Grade II* listed Britannia Naval College Building. The site is constrained from an access point of view, as well as being located in close proximity to the Grade II* listed Naval College.

Jubb worked on a design and build basis with the contractor with civil, structural and geotechnical services. The contractors brief included construction from environmentally friendly materials to minimise emissions and reduce BRNC’s carbon footprint, while also improving energy consumption and the building’s resilience to adverse climate change.

There were many complex and challenging issues to overcome in order to be permitted to construct a building of this size in this location and setting. The site is located on a hill prominently overlooking the town and port of Dartmouth which is within The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The new building is located within the college. The college, main complex and walls are designated with a Grade II historic listing. There was the added challenge of the site ecology being home to numerous species of wildlife, flora and fauna including the extensive presence of bats and the requirement to use environmentally friendly construction methods.

So as not to impede on the current setting we kept the ridge level low. This created challenging site conditions with significant removal of rock, and potential intrusions of igneous rock which Jubb were able to advise on through the designed site investigation. Large in-situ retaining structures, and underground storage rooms were part of the design which allows this space to be as flexible as possible for its intended future use.