A regional development team made up of Overbury, The Fairhursts Design Group and Buro Four has completed new premises for the University of Salford at MediaCityUK.
The new facility, which covers 100,000 sq ft across four floors of the Orange Building, is set to become the university’s new digital learning, teaching and research centre. Located in the heart of MediaCityUK, alongside six national BBC departments and hundreds of independent creative organisations, the new premises will provide students with a unique opportunity to access state-of-the-art technologies whilst immersing themselves in the country’s leading digital and media community.
The unique £18m fit out, developed by award-winning designers from The Fairhursts Design Group, took three years to deliver and saw the development team convert space within a Grade A commercial building into a leading academic centre of excellence. The space now boasts TV studios, radio production studios, edit suites, numerous lecture spaces, a digital café open to members of the public, a statement glass staircase in the centre of the main atrium and a 12m long art installation.
Nick Hague, Project Director at Buro Four said: “We are delighted with the facility we have been able to produce for the University of Salford and its students. It’s the first time a university has taken space in a multi-tenanted office block and that in itself has thrown up a number of challenges we have had to overcome.
“The production suites, studios and digitalinfrastructure have been specified by industry experts, installed by the most talented technicians and future proofed for emerging creative technologies. We have used 100 miles of technical cabling and 183 sq meters of coloured glass to create the stunning main staircase.
“The project has been carefully designed to inspire staff to develop new teaching methods and stimulate students by encouragingcollaborative learning. It’s worlds apart from most university campuses and will no doubt set a new benchmark for academic fit out.”
Teaching at the University of Salford’s new premises began on 4th October. Jon Corner, director of MediaCityUK for the University of Salford, concluded: “The hard work, talent and dedication that has gone into the creation of our new MediaCityUK facility is evident in the premises we now have. The brief was complex and the solution that has been delivered is nothing short of brilliant.
“The University has worked closely with the development team ensuring our staff are supported by state-of-the-art environments that will enhance the teaching and student experience. I think we can safely say that the University of Salford now boasts the leading digital and media teaching facility in the UK - we’ve introduced pioneering technology to guarantee our students get the best possible education and to put them at the epicentre of the industry they want to be a part of.”
Other professional consultants who worked on the project are Halcrow Yolles, Hoare Lea, RPS Group and F&G.
