The University of York has submitted plans to build a £35 million new student centre. The new development will be located at its Campus West site and provide a new and cutting edge location for students to socialise, study, and participate in extracurriculars.
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The building will include student support services, both of the University’s student unions, student media offices, study areas and event spaces. Along with a rooftop garden, the building will also be host to a number of multifunctional spaces. An atrium in the centre of the building will lead into a dining area and provide opportunity for exhibitions and events. It will be constructed according to the latest environmental standards, being built from renewable resources. Pending approval, the new building will begin construction in spring of 2024 and be available to students from the 2025/26 academic year.
The building will be five storeys high and be constructed in a trapezoid-shaped model. It was designed by architects ADP and O’Donnell + Tuomey. The proposed site as it currently stands consists of low rise buildings and parking.
Director of ADP Architecture Helen O’Curry said:
“We are very proud to be working alongside the University of York and partnering with O’Donnell + Toumey to design and deliver this exciting project.
“The Student Centre is a key strategic intervention into the wonderful York campus landscape. Located between iconic structures on the campus, the centre creates a visible and welcoming gateway to the university, providing significant public realm and dedicated student facilities.
“The project has been a joy, with the whole design team working hard to deliver high aspirations for the University.”
York is currently the only university in the country without dedicated Students Union facilities, so the new student centre would help provide community building and common spaces in a one stop shop.
Pro-Vice Chancellor For Teaching, Learning And Students at the university, Professor Tracy Lightfoot, said: “This is an important milestone in this project. In the last year we have spent a lot of time engaging and listening to our students to ensure that the plans truly reflect what they want, and need, from a building like this.
“The spaces have been adapted to fit their feedback and we will continue to do this throughout the rest of the process. Our iconic new Student Centre promises to be a fantastic asset to our students, the University and the local community.”
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