Human-centric design: 5 iconic collaborative learning spaces

Willmott Dixon showcases some of their developments for 2020, including iconic builds at Bournemouth and Bath Spa universities

Cathy Parnham

Iconic buildings, ultra-modern facilities and beautiful surroundings are no longer the preserve of a few establishments; universities are investing in space to aid collaboration with cutting-edge academic facilities, high-tech labs and well-equipped sports facilities. Today’s university environs are unrecognisable compared to a generation ago, and it is companies like Willmott Dixon who are being charged with delivering this profound change.

**BATH SPA UNIVERSITY** The Grade II-listed Herman Miller factory has been transformed into the new Locksbrook Campus, providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for art and design students with people-focused space that brings together different disciplines, staff, students and the public

**CITY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON** Willmott Dixon Interiors reconfigured the School of Arts and Social Sciences campus, one of the university’s five specialist schools, split over three locations in two buildings

**THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT** The three-storey Kennedy Building is home to the School of Economics, giving a stronger visual focus, identity and community

**BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY** The new build is home to a world-class specialist facility for Science & Technology and Media & Communication students, equipped with studios for TV and film, a cinema, plus sound editing labs, media production spaces and green screen with motion capture studios for animation

Richard James, Willmott Dixon’s sector specialist for universities, said, “Tuition fees have transformed the university-student relationship to one of service provider and customer, with buildings and the university estate playing a pivotal role in delivering that transformation. Universities are responding to the challenge and the quality of what’s being built is the best in the world. The UK really does have the highest concentration of top-class higher education provision.”