Design Brief

The purpose of the Forum Project Design Breif was to give the concept design team (Architects & Engineers) sufficient information about the University's vision and key requirements for the Project to excite their interest. The brief acted as a catalyst for their creativity, and enabled them to develop concept design solutions (within budget), but without unduly leading the design. As a result, excellent ideas and suggestions that were pooled from key stakeholders at the Scoping Conference may not have necessarily appeared specifically in the Design Brief. Omission of ideas may well have been deliberate as the principle or essence was already captured within the document.

In viewing this document, please bear in mind the main objectives of the Project, which are to:

• Create vibrant new learning spaces, including social learning spaces
• Deliver a structure and design of the building itself which facilitates inspirational learning for all students
• Reinforce research-led teaching
• Plan for the anticipated growth and internationalisation of the student body, encouraging and celebrating cultural diversity
• Consolidate front line student services in one building
• Create a new University reception
• Create an external Plaza area for improved social interaction, performance etc
• Increase pedestrianisation in the central campus area
• Modernise and improve retail and catering offerings in the area
• Bring exciting new IT functionality into the spaces concerned
• Increase flexibility and future-proofing
• Provide an integration with the newly extended and refurbished library
• Create a vibrant central core for learning, working and recreation
• Exploit the University's fabulous location
• Minimise disruption during the works