Students and staff from Northumbria’s flagship Architecture programmes have started to move in to their new, purpose-built studios. Located at Northumbria’s City Campus in the heart of Newcastle, this ambitious and innovative extension of the University’s historic Grade II listed Sutherland Building has been designed by renowned architects Page/Park.
Winners of more than 150 national and international awards, Page\Park liaised closely with Northumbria’s Architecture team to ensure the building’s design was specifically tailored to how students and staff work – creating a world-class home for an outstanding programme.
Packed with innovative design features
- Architecture students will benefit from almost 4 square metres of studio space per student – double the previous provision – and one of the highest levels of personal studio space in the UK. This will ensure world class facilities to enhance the student experience.
- Every student will have their own desk, drawing board, power supply, USB point and cutting mat. They will keep their own studio space all the way through their degree.
- The studios have been purpose-built specifically for Northumbria’s Architecture programmes, with a design tailored for how the University’s students and staff work.
- Page\Park are specialists in the creative re-use and restoration of buildings. This historic building conversion has been designed with light, sight and greenery in mind. It is an environmentally-minded extension with outdoor space and courtyards.
- The studios combine digital and traditional methods of communicating work. New touch screens mean students and staff can draw directly on screen and email content to each other.
- The building has a carbon-neutral design with an under-reliance on mechanics. It is naturally ventilated and has entirely recycled flooring and chairs, a green roof and a green wall with bird boxes and bat boxes to encourage wildlife.
- It has highly-efficient underfloor heating and is well insulated. There is a rain garden pond which creates a water feature and enables sustainable surface water drainage. This maximises the extension’s connection to nature.
- Page\Park see the building as part of the teaching tools of the department. They have incorporated lots of architectural ideas and differences in features throughout the building that can be used in teaching. The design enables architecture students to learn about structure, ventilation, acoustics and fitting out. It is a learning laboratory.
The studios are fitted with integrated, moveable display panels that can be aligned in different formations around the room for use in teaching and exhibitions.
The intelligent and sympathetic design knits together the existing, historic Sutherland Building, with innovative, light-filled, and flexible studio spaces that will ensure the very highest student experience for Northumbria’s outstanding students for many years to come.
Architecture at Northumbria
Recognised by external examiners as being among the best programmes in the UK, Architecture at Northumbria has an international reputation for excellence. Northumbria is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University League Tables 2019, with the department of Architecture and Built Environment rated in the top 200 in the 20 QS World University Rankings.
You can find out more about studying Architecture at Northumbria by signing up to one of upcoming NU Experience Days or by clicking here.
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