City College Norwich (CCN) were awarded the first National Skills Academy in the UK. This is the first of only four such Academies and specifically relates to the Financial Services sector.

CCN appointed 360 to develop innovative solutions that allow for collaboration between both students and workers from the local business communities. The spaces encourage formal study and relaxed informal gatherings. Modern workplace trends are echoed in this approach and the new Academy will be instrumental in informing and preparing students for their future careers in the Financial Services sector.

St Andrews House (SAH) was refurbished in preparation for the opening of this Academy for the beginning of their academic year. A tired and institutionalized façade and entrance was replaced with frameless glazing, new hard landscaping and feature lighting. The existing internal spaces were replaced by a relaxed corporate aesthetic which includes reception spaces, flexible teaching spaces, modern conference/meeting facilities, multiple soft seating areas and a café, reflecting the types of environments within which the students will work in the future.

SAH is available for local businesses to use as a hub for out of office meetings but can also be hired for more formal business activities, exploiting the flexible conference facilities and cutting edge presentation technologies.