Denstone College – Science laboratory refurbishment

First Class Science Facilities for Denstone College

Opened in 1873, Denstone College on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 11-18. Denstone was built in the 1870’s in a Victorian gothic style and many of the buildings are grade II listed.

The Brief

The school’s science laboratories were in need of modernisation to enable them to meet the demands of the modern curriculum and provide first class facilities. Ageing furniture arranged in a traditional long bench layout gave the rooms a dark, uninspiring feel and a lack of storage space meant surfaces and open shelving were cluttered with books and equipment.

Innova was one of three companies to tender for the refurbishment of two science labs, a dry lab and a prep room. The company secured the project with inspirational designs incorporating our unique Hot Corners layout, teacher walls and hidden services.

The Solution

Our Hot Corners concept provides a flexible arrangement for science labs by addressing the need to provide both a working classroom and practical laboratory within the same space.

By relocating the teacher to the long wall of the classroom, the design shortens lines of communication, creating a more collaborative approach to learning.

Working closely with Denstone’s site manager to an agreed timing plan, Innova created a furniture-only solution which included the design, manufacture and installation of bright, durable, non-porous velstone work surfaces and benches to replace existing wooden benches.

Work units fitted with built-in storage ensures surfaces are kept clean and clutter-free, whilst the addition of teacher walls integrates teaching resources from the interactive TV to white boards and display spaces as well as storage for books and equipment.

Re-positioning sinks from student benches to the perimeter of the room and moving power outlets to the front face of units further increased space for students to carry out theory work.