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CAMPUS SERVICES | ESTATES MANAGEMENT | 31
THE HUB AT COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
ROOMS AT THE TOP
Timely, rather than timeless architecture is vaunted as a blueprint for
HE success, but can bricks and mortar enhancements truly off er a robust foundation for long-term growth? Damon Jones surveys the estate of play
IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY COME? University campuses necessarily off er diverse portfolios of facilities to support their eclectic student populations, and further highly specialised academic interests. Whilst enabling many types of research, these architectural assets have also, it has been suggested, become signifi cant recruitment tools. According to a 2014 survey of 1,000 students led by the LSE Estates Division and the Higher Education Design Quality Forum (HEDQF), they could prove pivotal in cementing potential applicants’ choices. More than three quarters (76%) of respondents felt that a university’s facilities were ‘quite’ or ‘very’ important whilst weighing up where to study. Overall, they ranked as the fourth most important factor to them in making their selections, after considerations over course choice, and the location and reputation of the HEI.
AN APPETITE FOR RECONSTRUCTION Colossal stakes are at play. The Association of University Directors of Estate (AUDE) noted in its 2014 Higher Education Estates Statistics report that turnover for the sector had hit £27bn, and annual spending (excluding residential outlay) had increased to £2bn. Investment rose by £170m, or up 9% from 2011/12 and, buoyed by funding from internal sources, a development trend had emerged which showed Vice-Chancellors backing new builds and utilitarian refurbishments. Across the sector, the AUDE discerned “Functional suitability and condition of buildings improving and the age of estate get ing younger”. And students, it seems, it may be compelling the realisation of this brand new university. Jonathan Coulson, a Director
at development strategy advisers Turnberry Consulting and co- author of architectural volume University Trends: Contemporary Campus Design, contends that “universities are having to become more student-centric.” Increased fees, he points out, are creating heightened expectations around learning, social and
Coventry uni hub. Architects: Hawkins\Brown. Photographs: © Tim Crocker
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