Through the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the existing Frank Hooker building, and the introduction of a vertical and horizontal extension and stairwell with lift, new classrooms and facilities are providing a specialist provision Hearing Impairment Unit for students within The Canterbury Academy Trust.

Appointed by The Canterbury Academy Trust for the first time, Abbott worked alongside OSG Architecture, Modus Construction Consultants and b&m to deliver a dedicated teaching space which includes an office, disabled WC and storage space.

The newly developed section of the school is located at its frontage, exposed and highly visible, which directed the exterior aesthetic, and has created additional value to the school as a whole.

Connecting the modern exterior to the existing school building provides office space, differing sizes of classrooms, break-out spaces and a new reception area, all interlinking through a main corridor and separate side doors.

Specialist installations included access control for doors and a ground floor DDA bathroom suite. Air conditioning is utilised throughout the existing building and the new extension to promote heating and cooling as a re-engineered alternative to the original design of air source heat pumps and traditional radiators.

The interior was fully fitted out, with furniture to accommodate all the spaces, ready for staff members to customise their spaces and begin using the facility from February 2023.