CSE Innovation Space, Phase 2, University of Westminster

Location
London
Client
University of Westminster
Completion
2023
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Phase 2 of the School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)’s exciting refurbishment creates a series of flexible, highly engaging, education and workspaces that continue to enrich the student and staff experience.

Following the success of Phase 1, Phase 2 comprises of innovative teaching and research space, as well as activity-based workspaces for academics, visiting lecturers, and PhD students. We engaged with the CSE department through several workshops to understand their ways of working, new pedagogy and working patterns, and needs after COVID.

Shared offices for academics and lecturers, and an area for PhD students, are complemented by a central collaboration area with a refreshment point, quiet space, tutorial spaces, and meeting rooms. Informal staff spaces are in high demand, enabling chance meetings and collaboration. The CSE and Psychology PhD students share space to achieve greater efficiency on the constrained central London site.

Phase 1 demonstrated the success that came from close collaboration with the University of Westminster’s Head of Department, Estates team, stakeholders, students, and staff, and this continued into Phase 2 where users have been empowered to take ownership over the future of their space. From these discussions, special consideration was given to the needs of neurodivergent people, providing a variety of learning and working environments, and the specification of sustainable materials.

Working with the University’s AV team, the teaching spaces were developed further from Phase 1, with innovative IT/AV solutions such as interactive whiteboards and touch screens. These support the creative thinking process and the spaces allow collaborative working at different levels. Much like Part 1 of the refurbishment, these creative thinking spaces are integrated into the teaching labs.

As well as fulfilling the technical and practical aspects of the brief, it was important to create a memorable experience for students, staff, and visitors. This was achieved by our Graphic Design team in the teaching spaces, reinforcing the Department’s new identity. Pioneering computer scientists, Grace Hopper and Mark Dean, are depicted on the walls of the two large computer labs, giving the spaces a special identity and inspiring students with their stories and achievements.