The £30 million redevelopment of the University’s city centre campus on East Park Terrace was unanimously approved by the City Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel and formal permission is set to follow shortly, after which work will begin.
The design incorporates a stunning atrium, which will form the central hub of the new teaching and conference facilities. Measuring 18 metres across and 80 metres long, it will include a distinctive multifunctional suspended ‘pod’ with a viewing platform above. As well as providing a strong sense of arrival, the full height atrium is fundamental to the circulation strategy for the building which will be used by many of the University’s students each day; five-storeys of lecture and seminar rooms will be located around it, accessed via a series of bridge walkways. The atrium will also provide social and flexible space and open galleries for exhibitions, shows and events. The new facilities will incorporate state-of-the-art lighting, acoustics and equipment and a number of amphitheatre style lecture theatres will be incorporated beneath the atrium.
Interserve will build a new seven storey building with an internal floor space of 9,250 square metres connected to one of the University’s existing buildings, alter a vehicular access route lying to the north east of the new building and create extra car parking space.