Since being awarded university status 11 years ago, Southampton Solent is establishing a growing reputation across many academic disciplines, including its industry-renowned maritime, media and sports courses. In light of its growing stature, the University realised it needed a new academic hub to really showcase its excellence in learning, teaching, research and innovation and to project its spirit of success and ambition.
The Spark is the culmination of a four-year journey for the building’s designers, international architects Scott Brownrigg, to capture and realise the vision for the future of teaching and learning and to facilitate wider campus development.
After being awarded the project in 2011, the practice ran a programme of extensive consultation and engagement at all levels with the University and its key stakeholders to develop the project brief and design proposals. Planning was granted in May 2014 and work began on site in June 2014.