Second-year BA (Hons) Architecture (Part 1 RIBA/ARB) students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) recently stepped out of the lecture theatre and onto a live construction site to gain firsthand insight into complex structural engineering and historic building remediation.
Local contractor, Spetisbury Construction, invited the cohort onto its active site at Poole Central Library, located in the Dolphin Centre, where the company is safely removing and replacing a decaying 1960s roof while keeping the library below open to the public.
The site visit provided AUB students with an up-close look at how a design-and-build contract operates in practice, including managing unexpected site challenges such as asbestos flues and legacy concrete structures. The overall project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.
For the students, seeing complex theoretical concepts applied to a live site offered fresh perspective on their design studies. Sam Davies, commented,
“The most interesting thing I learned today was how they designed the sliding roof cover," comments Sam Davies, who studies BA (Hons) Architecture at AUB, "it’s on rails and locks into place, almost like a rollercoaster."
The project focuses on the remediation of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Widely used across public sector architecture from the 1950s onwards due to its lightweight and quick-to-install properties, RAAC is around 70% air. Decades on, the material has reached the end of its lifespan.
Spetisbury Construction is stripping every RAAC panel from the library and replacing them with a modern steel frame, metal deck, and high-performance insulated roofing system. To protect the functioning library beneath, the engineering team designed a custom temporary roof running on rails, moving along the building as each section completes. The scaffolding framework was fully modelled via a 3D scan before assembly began.
"It was also eye-opening to learn about RAAC," says Sam. "60 or 70 years ago it was seen as acceptable, and now it takes a huge number of people and contractors to bring these buildings in line with modern standards.”
Fellow student Grace Benson-Quarm adds, “It was fascinating to see the thinking and design behind reconstructing an entire roof, the structure you have to put around it, choosing materials that will last a long time, and doing it all without damaging the existing building or the library beneath.”
The visit forms part of an ongoing partnership between AUB and Spetisbury Construction. Previous student site visits include high-profile regional projects such as the restoration of Bobby’s department store in Bournemouth town centre and accessibility works for the National Trust at Kingston Lacy.
Melanie Kaviani, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at AUB and Director of Kaviani Architects, highlighted the value of industry links.
“Today’s site visit was once again an exceptionally valuable experience. On behalf of our students and the AUB Architecture team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Spetisbury Construction for providing such an engaging, educational and rewarding opportunity.
"The visit offered our students an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insight not only into design and construction detailing, but also into the wider challenges of the construction process. It provided a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration, health and safety, and cost considerations in delivering successful construction projects.
“I would particularly like to thank Justin, Ashley, Lewis and Aidan for their professionalism, generosity with their time, and continued commitment to our students' learning. Their knowledge, guidance and willingness to engage with our students are greatly appreciated. I place great value on this ongoing relationship with Spetisbury Construction.
“Meaningful engagement between AUB architectural education and industry is essential in preparing our students for professional practice, and I am sincerely grateful for the Spetisbury Construction’s continued support and contribution to their education.”
For Spetisbury Construction, the initiative supports two core objectives: providing future designers with practical insights into buildability and structural coordination and encouraging talent entry into the sector during a nationwide construction skills shortage.
Ashley Harris, Contracts Director at Spetisbury Construction, says, “It was a pleasure to host the students today and to answer their questions. Many of them will go on to become lead designers, pulling together the work of every other consultant on a job. Even a roof replacement involves far more design than you might think, and on every project there are people beyond the client and contractor to consider. We’re delighted to show the next generation how it all comes together.”
“I would particularly like to thank Justin, Ashley, Lewis and Aidan for their professionalism, generosity with their time, and continued commitment to our students' learning. Their knowledge, guidance and willingness to engage with our students are greatly appreciated. I place great value on this ongoing relationship with Spetisbury Construction.
“Meaningful engagement between AUB architectural education and industry is essential in preparing our students for professional practice, and I am sincerely grateful for the Spetisbury Construction’s continued support and contribution to their education.”
Ferhat Ercan, Technician Demonstrator on BA (Hons) Architecture, adds, “The site visit to Poole Library, delivered in collaboration with Spetisbury Construction, provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience a live construction environment first-hand. It allowed them to see how the knowledge and skills they develop in the studio are applied in a real-world setting.
"It was particularly important to ensure that students understood the significance of health and safety on a construction site, while giving them the opportunity to observe industry professionals and gain a greater insight into the construction process.
“Experiences like this are invaluable in helping students develop their confidence, knowledge and understanding of the construction industry.”
