The design of university buildings plays a crucial role in shaping the identity and sustainable future of a university campus. Designs of new buildings or renovation of existing, goes beyond mere structures, but creates environments that inspire learning, foster community, and promote environmental responsibility.
Our work in the education sector is wonderfully diverse and multi-faceted, from delivering world-leading sports venues, to re-imagining teaching spaces for a new hybrid world. Our work has also included the design of a new Events Centre, the most significant development on a leading university campus for several years.
To meet the university’s strategy to decarbonise existing campuses, innovative and pragmatic solutions play a key role. To design a sustainable university building, we consider energy efficiency, natural low impact materials, and water conservation, integrating renewable energy sources into the new spaces. We encourage a circular economy for a sustainable built environment and promote designs which protect the existing buildings fabric to help conserve resources, reduce embodied carbon and minimise unnecessary waste.
Creating a cohesive campus involves harmonising new structures with the existing one, blending traditional design elements with modern aesthetics. This approach creates a sense of continuity and belonging, allowing students and faculties to navigate the campus with ease.
To further promote cohesion, the design of open spaces that encourage interaction and collaboration are essential. Courtyards, gardens, and communal areas become gathering places, fostering a sense of community among students and staff.
Generally, universities also look to use spaces for multipurpose functions and flexible spaces are essential to ensure that teaching areas can be used for differing group sizes and adapt to ever-changing social and global environments. The Events Centre included a flexible auditorium to suit various events throughout the academic year.
Although we cannot name the universities we have worked with, we have included a number of visuals we have been working on, at early stages, and hope to be able to display the finished buildings soon.