W: www.universitybusiness.co.uk | T: @UB_UK


space. The space will further feature a 30% increase in book stocks and study spaces along with a cafeteria. There is growing demand for this


type of learning mega-structure and the library design brief was planned closely with the students' union. It will encompass not only additional space for books and study, but also deliver a ‘warm and friendly atmosphere intended to develop a sense of community.’ Vice-Chancellor Bill Rammell added:


“We believe this redevelopment is crucial to the continued success of the University, ensuring students have the best value university experience in facilities which inspires them to reach their full potential.”


Birmingham City University


When it comes to investing in and developing the student experience on a grand scale, few do it beter than Birmingham City University. Officially opened in July last year, the institution’s £62m city-centre campus – The Parkside Building – was designed to become a national centre of excellence for the creative arts and media sectors. This site represents the first phase


in a £180m investment in BCU’s estate to deliver on a strategy of realising the very best student experience. Creative disciplines at the new campus


include architecture, 3D design, fashion and textiles, visual communication, animation, photography, film and media production. Visitors are greeted by a five-


storey atrium, featuring active exhibition space and open staircases leading to five television studios and shared ‘collision spaces’ to encourage dialogue and ideas-sharing. The facility provides a unique


mix of manual and digital services, allowing students to explore the history behind artistic processes while learning how to use the latest technology and techniques. Textile workspaces are packed with digital sewing machines alongside ancient looms, digital printers and manual screen-printing racks, and alumni artwork adorns the walls to inspire the next generation of graduates. The University’s adjacent multi-million


pound Curzon Building is currently under construction and due to open by summer 2015. Housing Birmingham City Business School, and the Schools of English, Law and Social Sciences, the construction process has enabled 140 students to gain practical experience of construction and architecture. Professor Cliff Allan, Birmingham City


TOP: BCU Parkside foyer ABOVE: Parkside fashion textiles


University Vice-Chancellor, said: "The Curzon Building will offer our students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub, which will incorporate all student support services. It will allow us to capitalise on existing connections with business, supporting our focus on professional and practice-based courses, while atracting and retaining highly skilled graduates in the region.” Clearly there are a number of


considerations which can impact space design, but by maintaining a balance and keeping learning as the primary objective, even the smallest changes can positively contribute to the student experience. The variety of work across all of


these projects shows that there is no single or simple formula to successfully develop learning spaces. Not every institution will have the resources to massively reinvent its environments. As much as anything, moving from the classroom to learning spaces is a conceptual shift. Puting learning first calls for continued creativity, innovation and experimentation. UB


Mark Ferguson is owner of More Fire PR – delivering effective communication solutions for the higher education sector. Find out more at www.morefirepr.co.uk/services


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