Penryn 2.0 project

We have a vision to significantly enhance research and education facilities on our Penryn Campus, to build on the success of the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), expanding our impactful, premiere, sustainable futures research and teaching.

Our goal is for our Penryn Campus to have a global reputation of expertise in sustainability, where we deliver practical solutions to create a just and sustainable future and solve world-wide environmental issues.

In July 2023, our University Council approved for a project team to explore and design a three storey facility for the Penryn Campus, named Penryn 2.0. Following a review of the proposed Penryn 2.0 building and the challenges associated with the project, we adjusted the project to look at alternative options to create enhanced research and education spaces across the Penryn Campus that will benefit the whole community.

At the end of February 2025, a revised Outline Business Case for Penryn 2.0 was approved by Council with the aim of delivering a more sustainable and value for money solution, following engagement with University Faculties about prioritisation and need.

The project aims to enhance our infrastructure in Penryn to build on strengths in research excellence and the potential for student growth in Cornwall.

The project includes refurbishment of a number of lab spaces across campus, expanding an IT suite, teaching lab and seminar rooms, creating dedicated social/study and research space for postgraduates, and creating flexible office spaces for academic and professional services colleagues.

The Penryn 2.0 project will embrace learnings from recent refurbishment capital projects (including Accelerating Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (ADA) developments in Innovation Centre 2, Streatham Campus).

Next steps will further develop the design proposal. We will share more details as the plans develop.