Architect CoARC has created proposals for a Sea Cadets centre inspired by the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates.

The practice’s £3m design for Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets in Birmingham mirrors key features of the warship over two storeys. The new base, to be named HMS Birmingham – like one of the real-life Type 26s that are currently under construction – will replace the cadets’ existing HQ, which was built in 1952 and is based on first world war minesweeper HMS Sutton.

CoARC said the current building, which is made of simple blockwork and employs some construction elements used in wartime air-raid shelters, is in a poor state of repair and suffers from “excessive” running costs.

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