Student Support Centres, University of Reading

Location
Reading
Value
£2m
Completion
2017

Reimagining an existing estate, reinventing the student experience.

Three new Student Support Centres designed to improve the student experience and provide pastoral and organisational support for students in one place.

The centres are all located within existing buildings. They each comprise student help desks, interview rooms and back-office space for up to 40 staff each.

Adhering to a fast track design programme, we quickly developed option studies for the client group’s consideration. The options were discussed in regular workshops and developed further with stakeholders and the marketing team.

We developed a unique interior design concept and branding to give the centres their own identity whilst still having a sense of connection to the existing schools. The branding was also picked up by the internal university communications team.

The existing buildings remained in operation throughout this refurbishment project. Close liaison with adjacent stakeholders was required to limit disturbance.

Construction hours took into account use of vibration-sensitive equipment as well as teaching and exam times in the lecture theatres in the building.

Spatial constraints were overcome by close collaboration and coordination with M&E engineers and contractors and communicated early to the client team and stakeholders.

The support centres were handed over on time and within budget.

Stride Treglown provided an excellent service – quickly understanding the client brief and constraints, and developing and clearly illustrating some excellent designs within a challenging programme. The end product/interior design has been extremely well received by senior stakeholder groups.

Tom Murphy, Senior Project Manager