Great news as plans for the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment get the go-ahead from the city council.
The facility will provide space for more than 1,200 students on the site of the former Springfield Brewery.
See the design in this fly through:
Describing the project, Associate Alex Paul said:
“The 12-acre Grade II listed site has suffered from over 20 years of abandonment. With this in mind, the design for the project sees the new building wrapped around the brewery’s former clock tower and features a naturally-lit open atrium. We’ve worked closely with conservation specialists, planners and Historic England”
Industrial Heritage at Springfield
In recognition of the site’s industrial heritage, the 7,900sq.m build will also include a, north-lit, saw tooth roof. A landscaped piazza and courtyard will link the new school to the two others on the site.
There will also be a translucent light-box, mimicking the former Springfield water tower tank.
Inside the building there will be specialist teaching and social learning spaces. These will include, specialist labs, multi-disciplinary workshops, lecture theatre and a top-floor studio with double height ceilings. There will also be social and work spaces such as a cafe, offices and meeting rooms.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jackie Dunne, is the university’s project lead for Springfield. She said:
“We welcome the decision to grant planning permission by the council and have worked very closely with the planning department, Historic England and other groups to get to this point.
“Everyone is now very much looking forward to the next phase by actually getting on site and moving the project forward.
“The new design is really exciting and will be a fantastic addition to the city. Springfield is a key strategic project for the University and we are committed to realising the vision of the site and the part this will play in regenerating Wolverhampton”
The plans for the School of Architecture form the largest part of the first phase of the £100m redevelopment of the site to create the Springfield Campus.
