Imagine a commercial city centre building providing a catalyst for healthy communities

Project Insight

The University of Nottingham had an incredible ambition to bring the University into the city to connect with local business and communities in parallel with its global reach.

Project Idea

Our proposal created a verdant heart with connections to digital, social and natural networks, where people could advance their individual and collective potential. We designed the building to meet the 2030 RIBA Climate Challenge and to support fundamental human needs - to be a catalyst for a healthy community that’s thriving in mind and body.

Project Design

We composed the building to express the tectonics of a low-carbon, biodiverse architecture that presents itself positively to the city in all directions with a rhythm of robust natural materials and greening.

The quality and rigour of thinking behind the construction aimed to make a building people would be proud of and feel was theirs to enjoy for the long term.

A biodiverse landscape invites the user to move through the spaces, including roofscapes, rain gardens, perennial planting and woodland copses. Views of the city from the roof terrace reinforce visual connection to Nottingham.

A planted colonnade on Arkwright Street welcomes those arriving from the rail station. The southern entrance is combined with a vibrant cafe and outdoor amphitheatre, whilst drop-off and parking connects to a new garden overlooking Tinker’s Leen and a private northern entrance access under the tramline.

Inside is flexible workspace around bespoke innovation spaces, with a Digitarium as the building’s centrepiece, for interaction and education. An enticing staircase around the Digitarium leads visitors to upper levels and to a winter garden planted on its circular roof. The winter garden can be seen from upper levels, beckoning users to enjoy informal meetings in the verdant heart of the building.