The Faculty of Architecture moved into this refurbished 1930s building after its existing building had been destroyed by fire. In the months following the fire staff and students were housed in temporary accommodation and around the University campus. The design, refurbishment and move to this building therefore took place within a very short time frame. The building was intended to:

• Accommodate the entire Faculty under one roof

• Be lively and welcoming, with well defined identities

• Encourage the sharing of space by individual and departments

• Improve interaction among staff and students

• Support a wide range of functions and work activities

The office accommodation is a mix of cellular and open-plan workspaces, occupied on a non-territorial basis by academics and researchers. Administrative staff have dedicated office space. This represents a change in culture, as academics now meet students in labs, studios, meeting rooms, the café or informal seating areas, rather than in their own offices.

Staff that occupy the building are provided with a laptop and a set of guidelines or ‘house rules’ for how to use the building, which includes a clean-desk policy. Each occupant has a shelf for personal storage, together with access to lockers, shared book shelves and archive space. As a result the building has more workspaces than its predecessor, despite having less floor area.