News

York College refurbishment creates modern teaching and training facilities

04.09.26

Bowman Riley has helped transform teaching and training facilities at York College, delivering the refurbishment of a new beauty training centre and the college’s first-floor lecture theatre ahead of the new academic year.

The two York College refurbishment projects were delivered by Bowman Riley in collaboration with York-based interiors fit-out specialist Ben Johnson Interiors, creating contemporary, flexible environments designed to enhance learning, teaching and events.

The projects form part of York College’s continued investment in its estate and demonstrate how the thoughtful refurbishment of existing spaces can create high-quality education facilities without the need for new-build development.

New beauty training centre at York College

A redundant office area at York College has been converted into a dedicated beauty training centre, providing students with a professional, practical environment for hair, beauty, and make-up training.

Bowman Riley developed the design to make effective use of the existing accommodation while creating a modern teaching environment that reflects the industry’s professional standards.

Delivered within just three weeks, the refurbishment included new flooring, ceilings and partition walls, alongside kitchen units, redecoration and the installation of specialist beauty equipment and furnishings.

The completed facility provides an improved environment for practical teaching and supports York College’s growing portfolio of hair, beauty and make-up courses.

Lecture theatre refurbishment

The college’s first-floor lecture theatre has also been comprehensively refurbished, marking its first major upgrade since the main campus opened in 2007.

The five-week refurbishment included the removal and reupholstering of 90 seats, new lighting, acoustic wall panelling and flooring, together with a new black ceiling and contemporary specialist furniture.

A new lectern has also been installed, while the updated layout and finishes create a more flexible space for teaching, presentations, seminars and events.

The result is a contemporary education environment that improves the experience for students, staff and visitors while extending the useful life of the existing facility.

Education architecture and refurbishment expertise

Delivering refurbishment projects within a live education environment requires careful planning, coordination and an understanding of the demands placed on teaching spaces.

Bowman Riley’s experience in education refurbishment enabled the team to balance the college’s operational requirements with the need to deliver high-quality, practical and inspiring learning environments.

Both projects demonstrate how strategic refurbishment can unlock the potential of existing buildings, improving their functionality and appearance while providing greater value from an established estate.

For York College, the investment has created facilities that are better equipped to support modern teaching and learning. For Bowman Riley, the projects demonstrate our approach to education design and refurbishment, combining practical design expertise with a clear understanding of how buildings need to perform for the people who use them.

Creating better spaces for learning

York College Principal and Chief Executive Ken Merry said the new facilities would make a significant difference to students and staff, describing the refurbished lecture theatre as a “best-in-class facility”.

The completed projects provide a strong example of how targeted investment and considered design can transform existing education spaces, creating environments that support students, staff and the wider college community.