Aston University Teaching Spaces

Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham

Robothams were appointed in 2013 to prepare an options appraisal for two key spaces within the University’s main building. The first was an existing ground floor lecture theatre which needed refurbishment and the addition of capacity. Our design solution was to create a new configuration with a central aisle and 197 seats, with all finishes and lighting renewed to create a vibrant new teaching space.

In consultation with academic staff, the second space on the sixth floor of the building, would be subdivided to form collaborative, group teaching spaces and a ‘harvard style’ lecture theatre. This space would provide an opportunity for closer engagement with teaching staff as seating was arranged in a horseshoe on three sides of a central ‘runway’.  We worked closely with the services engineers to provide a high level of IT integration through out the space, including charging point designed into furniture.

All the spaces were delivered in the summer of 2014 using a traditional form of JCT contract with occupation possible from the start of the new academic year.