Students and staff from Northumbria’s Architecture and Interior Architecture programmes moved in to their new, purpose-built studios in January 2019. Located at Northumbria’s City Campus in the heart of Newcastle, our innovative studios are a refurbishment of excellent existing space and an ambitious extension to the University’s historic Grade II listed Sutherland Building. They were designed by renowned architects Page/Park who are winners of more than 150 national and international awards. Page\Park liaised closely with Northumbria’s Architecture and Interior Architecture teams to ensure the building’s design was specifically tailored to how students and staff work – creating a world-class home for an outstanding programmes.
Within the auspicious surrounds of Sutherland Building, the new extension knits into the existing building with an informed sensibility for the heritage of Sutherland building and our ambitions for a future proof studio environment. The studios are flexible, responsive and acts as a learning laboratory by revealing their structural and material fabric through a beautiful adaptation and extension. Students learn in and from these spaces and their aesthetic sensibilities are lifted by the quality of Page\Park’s design.
Packed with innovative design features
- Architecture and Interior Architecture students benefit from around 4m² of studio space per student - double the previous provision – and one of the highest levels of personal studio space in the UK. This ensures world-class facilities to enhance the student experience.
- Every student has their own desk, drawing board, power supply, USB point and cutting mat and keep their own studio space all the way through their degree.
- The studios have been purpose-built specifically for Northumbria’s Architecture and Interior Architecture programmes, with a design tailored to how the University’s students and staff work.
- Page\Park are specialists in the creative re-use and restoration of buildings. This historic building conversion has been designed with light, sight and greenery in mind. It is an environmentally-minded extension with outdoor space and courtyards.
- The studios combine digital and traditional methods of communicating work. Students work creatively in the studio, be it drawing, making models or discussing ideas. New touch screens also mean students and staff can work digitally, drawing directly onto screens and email content to each other.
- The building has a carbon-neutral design with an under-reliance on mechanics. It is naturally ventilated and has entirely recycled flooring and chairs, a green roof and a green wall with bird boxes and bat boxes to encourage wildlife.
- It has highly-efficient underfloor heating and is well insulated. There is a rain garden pond that creates a water feature whilst enabling sustainable surface water drainage. This maximises the extension’s connection to nature.
- Page\Park see the building as part of the teaching tools of the department. They have incorporated ideas and features throughout the building that aid teaching and learning. The design enables students to learn about structure, ventilation, acoustics and fitting out. It is a learning laboratory.
- Integrated, moveable display panels allow the studios to be arranged in different layouts for use in teaching and exhibitions.
The intelligent and sympathetic design knits together the existing, historic Sutherland Building, with innovative, light-filled, and flexible studio spaces that will ensure the very highest student experience for Northumbria’s outstanding students for many years to come.
Architecture Programmes at Northumbria
Recognised by external examiners as being among the best programmes in the UK, Architecture and Interior Architecture at Northumbria have an international reputation for excellence. Northumbria is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University League Tables 2019, with the department of Architecture and Built Environment rated in the top 200 in the 20 QS World University Rankings.
You can find out more about studying Architecture and Interior Architecture at Northumbria by signing up to one of upcoming Open Days by clicking here.
