Transformation of University Atrium for Birmingham City University
The Parkside atrium had originally been designed for an exhibition space and small café area since the building opened and was now under-serving the university given growing demand for informal study and social space as student and university needs change over time. Due to space pressures we were commissioned to transform the atrium into a contemporary co-working and social learning space to maximise the use of an existing underused asset. The challenge was reimagining a fixed architectural volume to work for several different user groups at once, café users, casual visitors, and co-workers, without those uses conflicting
The Challenge
The Outcome
Seating capacity doubled, meaning more people could use the space for a variety of study and social reasons. A now flexible, adaptable space serves multiple university communities at once. Café sales also tripled due to the larger amount of people using the space daily rather than simply walking through.
Our Response
The vision was to create a calming yet dynamic space, using natural finishes, live trees and earthy colours to blend the indoor and outdoor for a calming atmosphere amid a busy university environment, incorporating biophilic design to benefit for student wellbeing and focus. Our expertise in furniture selection and procurement helped us achieve a variety of space styles that work together aesthetically, such as a flexible "shell" space and fold-up, easily-movable tables for when exhibition space is required. The seating variety tailored to different user types (visitors, café users, co-workers) rather than one generic seating type.
"The space* studio has been working for the University in the capacity of architects and interior designers since 2003 and continues to work with us to the present day in and on-going relationship. We often get them involved in the trickier projects that need an innovative, design led, yet realistic approach, typically within a very demanding timeframe.
The range of projects they have completed for us include major interior refurbishments of teaching accommodation, fit out work, signage design and implementation, and an OFSTED compliant nursery. This range of projects is testament to their ability, flexibility and attitude to working in partnership with the Estates Department and or other consultants."
