University of Cumbria, Brampton Rd., Carlisle
The former Cumbria College of Art & Design (now the University of Cumbria) was awarded £2.7m by the Higher Education Funding Council for England as a grant towards the cost of much needed new accommodation. The entire programme costing in the region of £4.7M was planned in four phases to allow the college to function effectively during the two and a half year construction period.
Phase 1 infilled an underused inner courtyard with a curved vaulted roof to create a new library facility at the heart of the college and a central focus of the new design.
The later phases wrapped around the old structure, doubling the usable space and masking the dated 1950’s elevations with a new image suited to a progressive art institute.
Phase 2 provided a new refectory serving over 1000 students and staff, a flexible studio theatre, a dance studio as well as digital recording and music facilities.
Phase 3, the most complex stage of the redevelopment, created new digital media facilities, computer learning resource areas, three purpose-built lecture theatres as well a new reception area and radically reorganised circulation taking into account the needs of disabled students.
Finally, phase 4 saw the redevelopment of the studio suites enabling the college to locate students alongside their relevant resource areas.
The project won a commendation in the 2003 Civic Trust Awards.
Phase 1 infilled an underused inner courtyard with a curved vaulted roof to create a new library facility at the heart of the college and a central focus of the new design.
The later phases wrapped around the old structure, doubling the usable space and masking the dated 1950’s elevations with a new image suited to a progressive art institute.
Phase 2 provided a new refectory serving over 1000 students and staff, a flexible studio theatre, a dance studio as well as digital recording and music facilities.
Phase 3, the most complex stage of the redevelopment, created new digital media facilities, computer learning resource areas, three purpose-built lecture theatres as well a new reception area and radically reorganised circulation taking into account the needs of disabled students.
Finally, phase 4 saw the redevelopment of the studio suites enabling the college to locate students alongside their relevant resource areas.
The project won a commendation in the 2003 Civic Trust Awards.
