- Case study
- Design for post-pandemic learning.
Design for post-pandemic learning.
Design work for Durham University’s lecture theatres began in 2019 but was stopped in its tracks by Covid. When education establishments reopened, we needed to adjust to a new set of requirements.
Delivered by:
Gareth Williams, Key Account Manager
Project information.
Client:
Durham University
Location:
North East
Sector:
Higher Education
Value:
Scope:
Appointed after a tender process we worked with the university project team as well as our partner, Race Furniture. Our project management and installation teams were on site throughout the process.
Design work for Durham University’s lecture theatres began in 2019 but was stopped in its tracks by Covid. When education establishments reopened, we needed to adjust to a new set of requirements.
Client:
Durham University
Location:
North East
Sector:
Higher Education
Value:
£7,100,000
Scope:
Appointed after a tender process we worked with the university project team as well as our partner, Race Furniture. Our project management and installation teams were on site throughout the process.
Project overview.
As teaching styles and practices evolve, lecture theatres are among the educational facilities needing modernisation to help universities maintain ‘best in class’ status, and improve accessibility for all students.
Objective
A new hope.
Designing for post-pandemic learning, with flexibility and attention to inclusivity and wellbeing, was key after many students were badly affected and isolated by lockdowns – impacting the learning experience. The redesigned lecture theatres needed to imbue hope into learning and help students achieve the highest grades possible.
Target outcomes & Goals
Prevent highly reusable products from going to waste.
18%
Carbon footprint reduction
72%
Sustainable materials used
£145,000
Local community contribution
CCS / NEUPC
ISO 14001 accredited
The vision was to provide tiered seating in bright, contemporary colours. The university team believed this would create an engaging, vibrant atmosphere for learning. Improved wheelchair access was also an important factor – as was overall sustainability.
Our approach.
Working with our sister company, Race Furniture, we developed a unique solution based around a bespoke design concept. We designed and manufactured a bespoke table solution to enable access for all.
What we did
Durable materials.
Upholstery materials were carefully selected for sustainability, with wool and flax providing the durability needed for a heavy-use environment over many years.
We also installed acoustic panelling to reduce reverberation.
We also installed acoustic panelling to reduce reverberation.
Key challenges
Space to spend time.
Durham University wanted to welcome students back with newly refurbished and reimagined spaces that would inspire them to spend more time on campus. We quickly discovered that the subfloor in the Dawson Building lecture theatre would not support our proposed seating.
Custom solutions
Highly qualified team.
We were able to install new timber battens to provide additional strength to the floor, together with adjustable frames to accommodate the updated fixtures. A bigger qualified team was rapidly assembled to ensure the project remained on time, and on budget.
Results.
Dual-use areas now provide ample room for wheelchair users, while giving all students a versatile ‘turn to learn’ seating solution that enables them to interact more easily.
Durham University continuously works to improve our campus to provide the best experience for students, and to deliver the finest collaborative teaching available.
Partnering with Southerns Broadstock Interiors for the lecture theatre refurbishments allowed us to continue to maintain our position as an education provider of quality collaborative teaching environments.
Jonathan Stott
Project Manager, Durham University
Results.
By working with Casala, we were able to prevent landfill waste and buy the product back. This enabled Coventry University to redistribute its budget into another scheme.
The team was incredibly professional and attentive to every detail. Our project turned out even better than we imagined.
Awaiting Copy
Marketing Director, NovaTech Media
Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants has been an exceptional experience. From the outset, they understood the importance of delivering a space that stayed true to the architect’s original vision while meeting the evolving needs of the building’s occupants and the University’s sustainability ambitions. Their expertise in managing change and integrating legacy furniture alongside carefully selected new pieces allowed us to achieve a seamless aesthetic and narrative.”
The final design was full of practical solutions that aligned with the needs of those who will use the building day to day. By reusing significant proportion of our existing furniture, the FF&E package delivered meaningful carbon savings without compromising on quality or functionality.
Dr Mark I. Butler Ph.D.
Head of Operational Change, University of Oxford
As our furniture consultants, SBI brought a structured and methodical approach to refining the FF&E specification and space plans, ensuring we had sufficient understanding of possible furniture options to complement the architectural vision, and to support needs of the building’s future users.
The team’s attention to detail and commitment to quality have delivered a beautifully furnished, functional and inspiring environment that perfectly reflects the aspirations of the project.
Karen Brill
Client Representative, Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities Building Project, University of Oxford
Working with Southerns Broadstock Interiors as our furniture consultants on the LaMB building has been an exceptional experience. We are delighted with the result — a beautifully furnished building that embodies the values of the University of Oxford.
Dr Mark I. Butler Ph.D.
Head of Operational Change, University of Oxford
Broadstock provided a good level of service throughout the entirety of the project. They were fully engaged, were able to offer invaluable advice and present opportunities to realise our aspirations, while remaining conscious of our principal requirements and budget constraints.
Julian King MCIOB
Senior Project Manager, Estates Department , Royal Holloway, University of London
Broadstock’s strength was the team’s ability to work collaboratively with the client, providing quick responses in regard to drawing information, samples and cost advice. The team was professional and personable, delivering a good level of service. They were also able to remain flexible and worked hard to push every inch out of the scheme.
Bernice Bear
Design Manager, Osborne
Key supply partners.
Projects we’re proud of.
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