UWSU – Capital Development Project Marylebone Phase 5 Part 2
This project was the ultimate 100% student led design and build project. Working collaboratively across multiple teams including UWSU and six of the University of Westminster’s departments and schools enabled us to deliver such an innovative project.
The project started with 130 UG and PG Interior Architecture students taking part in a one day competition to design a new space on the Marylebone campus. Working in mixed groups the students were tasked with designing a “Social Activity Space.” How they considered, interpreted, or developed the brief was entirely up to them, as long as their designs promoted belonging, inclusion, student “ownership,” student interaction and community building.
The winning team became part of the Project Team working with all teams to create, develop and build the final space ready for the start of the new academic year.
Brief:
- Provide full support to UWSU from RIBA Stage 0 to 6 on two unique projects Part two: The Hangout in partnership with the University of Westminster.
- Concept and space strategy development.
- Manage and lead on the Quintin Hogg Trust Design Award (student competition to design a new social activity space.)
- Support and mentor the winning group of students throughout the design and build phase.
- Liaise with all University Departments including Architecture & Cities, CETI, Estates, Campus Services, H&S, AV & data, and their sub-contractors.
- Project and budget management.
Results:
“As part of our Dwell Park project we managed to persuade the University to let us convert an unused space to a new social activity space. Based on previous research Nina had recently completed we knew exactly what our Marylebone students wanted, but instead of just being happy with that we decided to go a step further and ask our Architecture and Interior students to actually design it.
Working in partnership with the Architecture and Cities School and The Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation, we ran a one day competition for 130 students. The winning team then became part of the Project Team and working with Nina, Estates, H&S, PDS and myself to deliver the project. This was a great experience for everyone involved and Nina was particularly supportive with the students and acted as my mentor in my first full project manager role.
As with all of our developments the students (and staff) absolutely love the new spaces and I look forward to working again with Nina on the next development at Harrow.”
Sarah Parson, Deputy CEO