A dramatic, new ‘front door’ between the university and the city, firmly establishing the campus within the city centre.

Offering a range of different and flexible spaces, the new Student Centre is designed to feel like a student space rather than a departmental space. Invoking a sense of student ‘ownership’, the various spaces – from vibrant social areas to quiet study spots – have been designed to facilitate social interaction, collaboration and learning.

The curving façade of the new building embraces the public square. A high colonnade offers visitors and passers-by shade and shelter, drawing the square into the building and allowing a welcome transition between inside and out. The saw-toothed facade curves around and embraces the square. Several public art installations punctuate the landscape.

This open space continues inside the building, with a full-height atrium forming the social heart of the Student Centre – a space that can be used for informal performances, talks or events.

The structural frame is an excellent example of a CLT / Steel Hybrid solution – a typology pioneered by Engenuiti in 2010. The focus is on sustainable design and the utilisation of low-carbon materials and technologies throughout the project. Functioning as the social heart of the building, this communal area – where timber is showcased throughout – is designed for informal performances, events and talks.

Contributing significantly to erection time, we developed an intricate recessed single component CLT balustrade for the stairway. Delivered to site and installed in single, ‘storey-sized’ monolithic pieces that measured up to 12.9m in length, the result is a clean, uninterrupted flow of natural wood that expresses the strength of the CLT both structurally and visually.

Photos: Jack Hobhouse, Adrian Lambert & Bowmer+Kirkland

Awards

Royal Institute of British Architects Awards - 2023 Regional Award

Royal Town Planning Institute Awards - 2023 Planning Excellence - Winner

Offsite Awards - 2021 Structural Engineer of the Year

Schuco Excellence Awards - 2022 Education & Health Sector Winner