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Fairwater Community Campus

Cardiff

Number of Students:

1800

Project Value:

£3.0M

Weeks on site:

18 months

Project Overview

Fairwater Community Campus is the largest educational infrastructure project delivered under the Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. Spanning 12,000 m² in Cardiff, it brings together three schools (Cantonian, Riverbank and Woodlands) into a single, net-zero campus supporting over 1,800 students and staff.

Working alongside architects HLM and Astin Smith Lord we were appointed to deliver consultancy, design, specification and installation across four buildings.

The Brief

Fairwater Community Campus wanted to unify three schools with very different needs, a mainstream secondary and two specialist ALN settings, into a cohesive, inclusive environment that supports a wide range of learning needs while delivering a consistent, high-quality user experience across all spaces.

The brief included:
- Delivering functional, durable and future-proof FFE solutions across four buildings: Health and Wellbeing, Cantonian, Riverbank and Woodlands
- Supporting specialist teaching environments, including science, food technology and ALN spaces
- Creating inclusive, accessible environments tailored to a diverse student population
- Ensuring consistency in quality, usability and visual identity across the campus

A key challenge involved re-establishing momentum on the project following the collapse of the original contractor. This required working collaboratively with newly appointed contractor, BSEL (Borley Engineering Services) to rebuild trust, align delivery and avoid delays or additional cost.

What We Did

What We Did
Across four buildings (Health and Wellbeing, Cantonian, Riverbank and Woodlands) we delivered FFE design consultancy, detailed design including colours and finishes coordinated with the architects interior design strategy, specification and full loose and fitted FFE installation. Each space was tailored to its school's identity and learner needs, while maintaining a consistent standard of quality and durability across the campus.

Specialist environments tailored to learning needs

HWB (Health & Wellbeing) Block
A central shared hub designed to support physical health, wellbeing and practical learning.
- Fully equipped food technology rooms with ovens, hobs and fitted worktops
- General classrooms fitted with durable furniture, storage and display solutions
- A sports hall with 4 badminton courts, basketball match play and practice and cricket practice nets.

Riverbank Special School (ALN)
Spaces carefully designed for sensory support and accessibility.
- Installation of specialist rebound therapy trampolines
- Sensory rooms, including multi-sensory environments designed to stimulate multiple senses simultaneously; soft play areas with full wall padding for safety and comfort; and sensory integration rooms used to develop vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness) systems.
- Classrooms equipped with adaptable furniture, storage and teaching aids

Cantonian High School
A diverse range of teaching and social spaces supporting mainstream education.
- A bespoke science studio featuring curved benching and a central teaching demonstration desk.
- Staff social spaces with tea points with integrated sinks and base units
- Library fitted with loose furniture and bookcases to encourage flexible use
- Main hall with bleacher seating for assemblies and events
- Fully equipped food technology areas

Woodlands High School (ALN)
Designed to support secondary ALN students in a calm, structured environment.
- Classrooms fitted with practical, adaptable robust furniture and storage
- Waiting areas featuring circular soft seating to encourage comfort and interaction
- Food technology spaces equipped for hands-on learning with height adjustable cooking stations to accommodate the ALN cohort.

The Result

Fairwater Community Campus is due to fully open in 2026 as one of the most ambitious school campuses in Wales, a net-zero facility built to serve its students, its staff and its wider community for decades to come.

Students have access to purpose-built learning spaces across all three schools. Staff benefit from well-equipped and easy to use staff social and work spaces, and for the community, Fairwater is a shared asset, a landmark building that extends learning well beyond the school day.

Three schools. One campus. Built to last.

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