In 2019, the Department of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE) at the University of Northumbria underwent a transformative project that included a new extension and the refurbishment of existing studio spaces. This endeavor revitalized the department, providing state-of-the-art facilities designed to inspire creativity and collaboration.

Externally, the new extension features a primarily brick construction, echoing the vertical composition and scale of its neighbouring structures. The interior spaces are designed in a palette of brick and timber linings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. These versatile areas cater to various needs, accommodating studio work, crits, and exhibitions.

Brief

Throughout Stages 2 and 3, Page\Park actively engaged with Architecture and Built Environment staff to understand the department’s needs and aspirations for their new ABE home. This collaborative process helped establish key principles and determine the best approach within the project constraints.

The project aimed to restore the setting of the department, situated in the cluster of Victorian buildings on Northumberland Road, to a more civic character. The design proposals sought to frame key elements of the existing building and positively contribute to the re-ordered setting of the lanes leading from Northumberland Road and College Street.

Design

The two-storey extension was designed to defer to the original building, allowing the existing north and west wings to retain their dominant role in the composition. The consolidated ABE department now holds a prominent position on the campus, serving as the gateway to the University from the city centre.

The grand rooms on the ground floor of the north and west wings house the Built Environment areas, while the student hub occupies the corner bay, becoming the showcase for the department. The new Architecture studio setting is located within a raw and “industrial” courtyard, providing a contrasting environment to the sophistication of the frontage building. It serves as an incubator of new ideas and a workshop for creativity, where students study, rework, and reimagine the urban world outside.