A FIRM of North-East architects has completed a £1m project to transform one of the region's colleges into a state of the art business hub.

Darlington-based Niven Architects, has converted buildings across the Hartlepool campus of Cleveland College of Art (CCAD) into 12 business incubator units, and created an on-site shop where entrepreneurial students can sell their art work.

Graduates of the college are able to rent a low cost unit for up to three years and continue to access college facilities to help their fledgling businesses get off the ground.

CCAD, one of only four independent art colleges in the UK, believes that creating a hub of like-minded entrepreneurs on the campus will help to equip graduates with hard-nosed business skills.

Eyv (CORR) Hardwick, programme leader of higher education applied arts, explained: "We have a strong record of employment and self- employment at the college, but these new facilities will take things to a whole different level. It's not sufficient for us to simply be a hive of creativity. We give our students sound business skills so they can apply their talents as fashion designers, silversmiths or graphic artists into setting up their own business.

"The architects have done an amazing job to take what was a rather dreary 1970s building and turn it into the kind of funky space you would expect to see in a university."

Niven has also created a striking lobby area and installed modern furniture to create the ambiance of a contemporary art gallery aimed at attracting more members of the public into the building.

Simon Crowe, Architectural Director of Niven Architects, said: "We are very proud of the newly opened facilities and believe that working with the team at the college, we have created spaces that will act as a model for future conversions and transformations not only at CCAD, but also at other institutions across the region and further afield."

The firm has worked with CCAD for over 14 years across the colleges campuses at both Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

In addition to the newly completed projects, Niven also recently overhauled the campus Leadbitter building, which houses the colleges fashion design studios and workshops.

Next month the company will begin work on transforming an old Victorian red brick Municipal Building purchased from Hartlepool Borough Council into a brand new TV and film studio. Work is due to be completed by Christmas.