34 | INSIGHT: LEARNING SPACES | CAMPUS SERVICES
“This has been so successful that we
may replicate the idea in other parts of the University. Instead of just being somewhere to shake your wet umbrella the lobby is now a vibrant and integral part of the Business School and a great place for people to meet and work.” Debates around student-centred
approaches to learning and teaching often focus on curriculum design. However, when learning environments become part of the discussion many argue that more consideration needs to be given to the impact of spaces, rather than areas offered by bricks and mortar.
Regent’s University London
This philosophy has received close atention at Regent’s University London where the University’s Marylebone campus, home to the School of Fashion & Design, is witnessing the redevelopment of a former 19th-century church into high-specification design studios and teaching space. The site will also include a fully refurbished 120-seat theatre. The University’s School of Fashion &
Design has produced its own shows for the past 20 years, hosting representatives from brands such as Topshop, Warehouse, Dorothy Perkins, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer. The theatre’s architecture incorporates proscenium [picture frame] arches and
BI RMING H AM CITY UN I V E R S I T Y
a stage designed to maximise space and offer a flexible choice of performance in a theatre-in-the-round arena. David Hanson, Head of Regent's
School of Drama, Film and Media, noted: “The Marylebone Theatre will join a niche group of London theatres able to showcase new and established works to the public. “The new venue will stage the best of
modern, traditional and international theatre productions, alongside the work of professional touring companies.” One of Regent’s most successful
partnerships is with The Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF), which delivers initiatives to discover, train and mentor emerging artists through free university places, funding and creative learning initiatives. This offers substantial scholarships
to Regent's acting, screenwriting and producing students and each spring applicants are auditioned or interviewed for one of nine places shared between Regent's BA Acting and Global Theatre, and BA Screenwriting and Producing degrees. As a key part of this process Kevin
Spacey personally commits time to enhancing the learning experience for Regent’s students by leading master- classes at the University during the year. Discussing his support for this
process and the Marylebone Theatre development, Executive Director of The
Kevin Spacey Foundation, Steve Winter, said: “Kevin and I believe the scholarships are life-changing for recipients and ensure they get the chance to discover their creativity and experience a higher education that might not otherwise be available to them. “The newly refurbished Marylebone
Theatre will undoubtedly prove a welcome extension of this process and we look forward to seeing students continue to develop as emerging artists ready for a professional career.”
University of Bedfordshire
Learning spaces convey a university’s philosophy to teaching and learning. Active, collaborative approaches are often indicated by designs which are noticeably different, a point not lost on the University of Bedfordshire in the development of its new £46m art library at its Luton campus. The construction project is gigantic.
Beginning in January 2014 and due for completion at the beginning of the 2015–16 academic year, the plans build on a previous £350,000 investment in the University’s current library and Learning Resources Centre. The new building will house the
University's library and learning resources centre across seven storeys and almost 7,500 square metres of floor
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80