A full run down of the planned improvements to learning spaces

At the April meeting of the Learning Spaces Working Group we (Space Management) shared a list of all the planned work we know of that will be taking place within our learning spaces portfolio before the next academic year. It was a surprise to most of the group - both in scale but also how items end up on the list.  We think that’s quite fair - how do rooms or items within rooms get selected to be on a refurbishment list?

The answer is: in lots of ways.

1. Lifecycle works - we know that certain items within a room will only last so long - and we usually swap those out just in the nick of time, so the room does not suffer any downtime and the experience is not impacted. The obvious candidates here are the technology pieces. They normally last about an eight-year cycle, with regular maintenance during that time.
2. Your feedback - through a number of channels. It could be to Timetabling directly, via your department who will make a representation to the Facilities Manager, or via the University Helpdesk (ext 5555). 
3. The Facilities Managers - using their local condition surveys and knowledge.

We’re going to be transparent about the investment in these spaces moving forward - and the working group will have their say on priorities or input from the membership they represent. These things take time to change, so for the current year we’re working on the list as presented - but with the caveat that the design and product selection will be approved via the working group, and aim to be consistent with the consultation and feedback on the Spring Lane Building.

Room	Furniture	Decor	Flooring	AV
ATB/056	🎫	🎫		🎫
ATB/057	🎫	🎫		🎫
Biology - various		🎫
B/B/102	🎫
B/B/103	🎫
B/M/023 (survey pending)				🎫
B/M/049 (survey pending)				🎫
B/M/052 (survey pending)				🎫
BS/005				🎫
C/A/102 (Easter 2016)		🎫	🎫	🎫
C/B/102	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
D/L/007	🎫
D/L/028 (Hendrix Hall)				New Column Boards
D/L/036		🎫
D/N/016	🎫
D/056 (Summer term 2016)*	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
D/N/104	🎫
D/N/159	🎫	🎫
DS/006	🎫
Room	Furniture	Decor	Flooring	AV
DS/008	🎫			🎫
DS/009	🎫			🎫
DS/010	🎫			🎫
E/056	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
E/118	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
E/119	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
E/120	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
E/107	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
James G/N	🎫
LMB	🎫
P/L/001				🎫
P/L/002				🎫
RCH/248 & 250				🎫
V/C/123				🎫
V/N/044 (Summer term 2016)*	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
V/N/045		🎫		New Column Boards
V/N/119		🎫
V/N/120		🎫
V/N/123		🎫
V/N/123a		🎫
V/N/139	🎫	🎫
V/X/230 (Easter 2016)	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
V/X/231 (Easter 2016)	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫
W/N/218	🎫	🎫	🎫	🎫

That’s a long list, and we’ll be undertaking this room when the rooms are at their quietest - mainly after the exam period is over.

The working group have commissioned a direct consultation, for each space, with the users who have been taught or teaching in those spaces this year. That’s most likely one of you (especially if you’re reading this) - your response will be really valuable!

All the best,

Matt.

Derwent D/056 and Vanbrugh V/044 refurbishment updates

Better late than never!

That’s my way of apologising for the rather late blog post to say that the transformation work has commenced for both of these spaces - with a target completion date in June 2016! A quick shout out to our project manager, Marc Newsome, who is our internal star seeing these two spaces through to completion.

SDL Construction have been busy stripping the spaces back to their outer shell and starting work to implement the new designs. You can see the start of D/056’s new raised seating area below, and we will have more photos to whet your appetite soon.

Photo from 18 April

We have opted for a ‘Design and Build’ contract - utilising the outline designs that were consulted on through both the Learning Spaces Roadshows and the Learning Spaces Working Group. The aim is to deliver back:

• V/044 as a high-quality boardroom seminar, with full blackout facility, a large central projection screen (3 metres), new lighting, heating, power, carpets, glazed windows (and curtains/blinds), tables, chairs and entry doors. Our Interior Design company working on the project, Brazenose, are as passionate as us to deliver a high-quality learning environment.
• D/056 as a high quality small collaborative lecture room. This is our first truly collaborative room, with bench seating and collaboration tables for all members (with integrated power), new lighting, technology (large central projection and large boards), heating, power, carpet, glazed windows (and blinds), entry doors and new ventilation. For those of you who remember D/056 - we believe this space will be truly transformed and unrecognisable when we’re finished!

Watch this space!

Matt.