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As UCL approaches its two-hundredth anniversary, the planned overhaul of its Bloomsbury campus showcases a balance between legacy and innovation. The redevelopment of the grade I-listed Wilkins Building, designed in the 1820s, reflects a forward-thinking vision that honours the past while making the campus more accessible and connected. Led by BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd) and Burwell Architects, UCL’s plans to transform the main quad and surrounding areas emphasise the role of thoughtful design in enhancing how we experience historic spaces. This isn’t just about upgrading buildings—it’s about improving the student and community experience, creating greener, more welcoming environments, and seamlessly blending UCL’s rich history with modern functionality. For those in design, branding, and architecture, this project highlights a vital truth: great spaces evolve. They adapt to changing needs while preserving their unique essence. The Wilkins Building’s transformation, with its new planting, event spaces, and improved connectivity, illustrates how innovative design can breathe new life into heritage settings. At The Avenue Group and Stepladder, we believe spaces should tell a story, and Beyond CGI has the tools to turn an idea into reality. As UCL reimagines its campus for the next generation of students, we are reminded of the importance of creating environments that honour their roots while embracing the future. Read the Building Magazine's article for more:

Save the Date...   Building on the success of the first Liberated School Spaces conference, ECIS, tp bennett architects, and The Mona Lisa Effect® (Matthew Savage) are pleased to announce:   Liberated School Spaces 2.0 08 & 09 November 2024 Eromesmarko design centre, Wijchen, The Netherlands     Join #educators, #students, #architects, #designers, #healthprofessionals, and #manufacturers from across the globe to explore how to liberate minds and, ultimately, school spaces.   Going much further, and much deeper, than the first event, this second conference will challenge you to explore, and liberate, a wider range of school spaces. In addition, we will offer a deep dive into unleashing your creativity, systems thinking and barriers to change – underpinned throughout by a commitment to sustainability, #wellbeing and #DEIJB.   Whether you attended the first conference or this is your first foray into liberating school spaces, you will have the opportunity to curate your own experience and learning goals. Here's some feedback from last year's conference in London: "It is no exaggeration when I say that the conference was the professional development highlight of my career, and it is gratifying that design is finally becoming a focal point of the educational experience." Jennifer Jacqueline Motre - International School of Amsterdam   Join us in The Netherlands at Eromesmarko’s inspiring design centre. Together we can shift from the controlling spaces of traditional school design to a new paradigm that liberates bodies in space. Registration will open soon, but for now, please save the date for #LiberatedSchoolSpaces2024. #InternationalSchools #InternationalEducation #SchoolDesign #SchoolArchitecture #LearningSpaces #Education #ECISMembership

The Evolution of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) with Architectus   What defines exceptional purpose-built student accommodation today? At AJK Outfitters, our extensive experience in delivering countless PBSA projects has given us a front-row seat to the transformative changes over the past 15 years. In collaboration with visionary operators and architects like Architectus, we've witnessed a genuine evolution in the way student accommodation is conceived and constructed. Today’s PBSA isn't just about providing a place to sleep; it's about creating a quality living environment that meets the modern student's needs and desires. The importance of thoughtful design cannot be overstated.  Part of that design needs to accommodate lifestyle and amenities. From pastoral support programs that aid cultural adaptation to advanced safety features through technology, every element is designed with student well-being in mind. Features like rooftop gardens and in-house cinemas transform these spaces into vibrant communities that foster social interaction and personal growth. As the expectations of residents align with current trends for modern living, we are proud to contribute to the sectors that understand and implement these advancements. We want to hear from you! What features do you think make for outstanding purpose-built student accommodation today?  Scape Australia | The Switch |Yugo | Plus Architecture | Hayball | Antoniades Architects | Rothelowman | Property Council of Australia #AJKOutfitters #Architectus #PBSA #StudentAccommodation #InnovativeDesign #Inspiration #architecture #CedarPacific #pbsa #ModernStudentLiving #buildingthefuture #ffe #purposebuiltstudentaccommodation

Pelham Campus Phase 2, #shortlisted SECBE Awards 2024 for ‘Delivering Value’  People's Choice Awards is a special SECBE Award decided by public vote only Please #vote for this Brighton MET project at https://lnkd.in/dzXNf54J) The regeneration of the Chichester College Group Central Brighton Campus is part of the group’s commitment to transforming its estates and providing better education facilities that provide excellent places to learn whilst also being environmentally #sustainable. Phase 2 involves over-cladding an existing 9-storey tower, providing improved teaching spaces, creating new modern education facilities and improving the #environmental and #thermal performance of the building. This phase aims to ensure the college’s facilities are, among other criteria > Upgraded to Category A from C, addressing #healthandsafety issues and reducing the proportion of college estate in unsatisfactory condition > Improving the environmental performance and sustainability of its estate, focusing on a #fabricfirst approach and improving effective #ventilation Key achievements: Environmental value: addressing global climate change, reducing overheating risk and energy demand through a completely re-designed building envelope. Urban value: promoting a positive image of Brighton as a progressive and vibrant city, encouraging the local economy and renewal of the area. Health and wellbeing value: providing a safer and healthier environment for students and staff through improved daylight and ventilation design, contributing to more effective learning and pupil motivation. Client: Chichester College Group Architect: ECE Architecture Main Contractor: Willmott Dixon Playle & Partners LLP, HOP Consulting Limited, WesTech Engineering, Engineering Limited, Wintech, Façade Engineering Consultants Supply Partners Kingspan Group, Ash & Lacy, Knauf Insulation, Galaxy Insulation and Dry Lining Limited, Kawneer UK, RJ Facade Systems, OBEX UK, Siderise Group, SIG plc, VIVALDA A2O Team: Tim Gray, Martin Coupe, E K Lee, Billy Carter, Ashley Brew, Nikesh Patel, TS Lim, John-Paul O'Shea, Hannah Dowds, Perry Hilton, Leanne Fee #deliveringvalue #constructingexcellence #southeast #secbe #secbeawards #awards #awards2024 #finalist #publicvote #facades #facadesystems #cladding #rainscreen #buildingenvelope #reclad #passivefireprotection #passivefire #firesafety #lps1531 #thermalefficiency #energyefficiency #naturalventilation #daylight #studenthousing #housing #residential #education #campus #brighton #construction #ukconstruction #loveconstruction #contractors #building #ukbuilding #buildingconstruction #buildingindustry

Our firm was retained by the Waldorf School through the Community Design Collaborative to complete a master plan for the School’s new campus. The School was awarded a design assistance grant from the Collaborative, with the project being an adaptive reuse of vacant church property. The intent was to create a conceptual design plan for integrated outdoor spaces. The goal was to create sustainable outdoor spaces that integrated and connected many aspects of the educational programs of the two-acre school for the 200 to 300 pre-K through eighth-grade students. A thorough analysis of the site was undertaken, as well as meetings with the staff and students to develop a wish list of activities for the new campus grounds. The concept for the project is called “The Body of Play”. The intent was to show the interconnection between man and nature, and how systems in the body are similar in nature. Key Features: -A series of outdoor learning areas and classrooms -Report to be used to obtain grants -Spaces perform multiple functions -Interactive design process to develop a master plan -Participation by students staff and neighbors in the design process Team: Community Design Collaborative; Lindsey Allen, Historic Preservation; Clemens Construction Company . . . #campusdesign #sustainablespaces #outdoorclassroom #landscapearchitecture

Enjoyed reading through the recently published draft development framework for Trafford Wharfside prepared by Hawkins\Brown with Avison Young, LDA Design and Civic Engineers on behalf of Trafford Council. It sets out the vision for the transformation of the Wharfside from current collection of underutilised surface car parks, piecemeal light industrial and commercial development and stranded cultural assets into a diverse and distinct place to live, work and visit. We have been working on a key site within the study area for the last couple of years and met with Hawkins/Brown during the preparation of the framework. It’s reassuring to see our proposals for the site aligning with their vision. The framework acknowledges the importance of enhancing the visitor experience to Old Trafford and the Imperial Wharf Museum North whilst creating a landscape-led approach which incorporates high-quality public realm, active travel routes, a new park and public open space to support healthier lifestyles and create a connected community. Our ‘City of Multiple Centres’ concept sketch illustrates clearly the Wharfside’s strategic location and opportunity is has to improve wider connections north-south from Salford Quays through Pomona Island and Old Trafford Football Stadium to the Civic Quarter. We suggested this could be a ‘green corridor’ inspired by the former Throstle Nest Plantation that once extended across both the Bridgewater Canal and the Cheshire Lines Railway, linking the Wharfside to the former Royal Botanical Gardens and Old Trafford before the rapid industrialisation of the early Twentieth Century. The framework outlines a vision that is residential-led but importantly identifies character areas which maintain the previous commercial and light industrial presence, celebrate the historic waterfront and retain key existing buildings which will hopefully preserve the Wharfside’s unique sense of place and character. A great step forward!

A few topic highlights from the Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA) Victoria Conference: Schools are struggling to provide for students with disability - particularly to keep up with legislation and managing the parents expectations. We've come a long way - schools are so much more inclusive today than they were even 10 years ago - but there's a long way to go. How are schools incentivising staff to participate in overnight camps and international trips? Was it built into your enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA)? Teachers are scared of the legislative and duty of care requirements snd risks on these trips. Special responsibility allowances seemed to be popular in the room and a great suggestion was sending a nurse on all overnight trips (additional to staff student allowances). Continued fundraising is a massive and ongoing issue for many schools. Ann Badger spoke eloquently on the importance of authenticity, staying in contact with alumni, and allowing the major spokesperson to be the visionary persona supported by a team of fundraisers. It's about giving the "village" an opportunity to support the raising of the children in their community.

Building a New School Facility or to Renovate Deciding on a new school facility or to renovate is an early conversation with many new school projects. Educational institutions worldwide are continually seeking the perfect space to nurture young minds. However, the path to creating an optimal learning environment is not always straightforward. When it comes to school expansion or construction, educators, investors, and architects often face a significant decision: Should they build a brand-new facility, renovate an existing school, or repurpose a different type of building to become a school? Each option presents its unique set of challenges and opportunities. This article aims to help you understand the considerations for a new school facility or renovating. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aXauZH #settingupschools #internationalschools #schoolmanagement

Building a New School Facility or to Renovate Deciding on a new school facility or to renovate is an early conversation with many new school projects. Educational institutions worldwide are continually seeking the perfect space to nurture young minds. However, the path to creating an optimal learning environment is not always straightforward. When it comes to school expansion or construction, educators, investors, and architects often face a significant decision: Should they build a brand-new facility, renovate an existing school, or repurpose a different type of building to become a school? Each option presents its unique set of challenges and opportunities. This article aims to help you understand the considerations for a new school facility or renovating. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aXauZH #settingupschools #internationalschools #schoolmanagement

🏛️ In celebration of UCL’s 200th anniversary in 2026, Burwell Architects has been entrusted with reimagining the Wilkins’ Cloisters and Main Quad. The project will bring new life to these historic spaces, enhancing accessibility and creating a more inclusive and dynamic campus for students, staff, and visitors. With planning and listed building permissions now secured, we’re ready to embark on this exciting transformation! Burwell's bicentennial project at UCL will: 🌿 Enhance the Main Quad with improved accessibility, sustainable landscaping, and flexible spaces for events and everyday use. 🏫 Retrofit and reconnect the Grade I Listed Wilkins Building, including a new lift and circulation routes to improve accessibility. 🎨 Convert underutilised circulation areas into vibrant, multi-functional spaces for exhibitions, study, and events. 💬 Nicholas Burwell, Design Director, shares: "We have been entrusted with the reinvigoration of a set of spaces that will form a welcome to UCL Bloomsbury, creating an active, accessible, and open campus heart for students, staff, and visitors. The improvements in accessibility and environment will create a legacy of inclusion that respects the historic setting while embracing its future." Hannah Milner, Director of Capital Programme, UCL Estates, adds: "Creating multi-functional spaces for the UCL community is a core driver of this groundbreaking project. We’re excited to deliver a transformed campus heart in time for the Bicentennial celebrations." Works began in early 2024, with completion set for late 2025—just in time for UCL’s milestone year. Read more: https://bit.ly/4jzvvhg #UCL200 #BurwellArchitects #HeritageAndInnovation #CampusTransformation #SustainableDesign #Architecture #HigherEducation #PublicSpaces