Robothams were appointed in January 2013 to design the first phase of a major redevelopment of Aston University’s conference venue which is located on the city centre campus in a building shared with the Business School. The facility provides conference accommodation for corporate and academic events, with 162 delegate bedrooms on the upper floors.

Appointed under the University’s consultant framework the brief included refurbishing the lounges, bar, dining room and kitchen, with an extension to the dining room and associated landscaping. Working closely with the facility’s management team the practice designed the spaces, gained planning consent and managed the consultant team through the 12 month process, including acting as contract administrator for the construction phase.

Main contractor, Speller Metcalfe were appointed under a traditional JCT contract to deliver the project through a number of phases and sectional completions, working to avoid disturbance to the conference centre’s guests and staff. The project was completed in December in readiness for one of Conference Aston’s busiest periods.