A £3million project to create new teaching space on campus is nearing completion.

The West Park Teaching Hub will be located in the former Ford College building.

Inside the building there will be five tiered lecture theatres designed to support collaborative learning.  They range in size, with the largest having a capacity of 258.   The facility will also include two seminar rooms and a central learning and exhibition zone which can be used as two small areas or one large one.  A comprehensive range of audio visual equipment will be installed in the lecture spaces. 

Alongside the formal teaching space there will be an informal learning area with comfortable seating.  In addition there will be waiting areas with seating and a café.

Work has been underway since July to convert the existing building.  The project has involved a complete adaptation, reconfiguration and refurbishment of the internal layout.

Peter Goldsworthy, Project Manager from Facilities Management has overseen development of the project for the University.  He said, “The Henry Ford building is very recognisable externally and we were keen for the interior to be just as memorable.  It has been great to see the transformation over the last few months.”

Following completion of the construction work in early January internal fit out will commence.  The soft furnishings will include a range of contemporary, eye-catching and colourful designs.

Students can look forward to lectures and seminars in the new facility from semester two.  It will primarily be used by those Schools and Departments currently based at the West Park of campus, including Civil and Building; Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering and Physics.  The building will also be home to the Maths Learning Support Centre. Other support services may be accommodated in the building in due course.

Professor Morag Bell, Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching comments: “The teaching hub will be an outstanding teaching and learning space. Development of the building forms part of an £25 million investment in a ‘student learning zone’ at the west end of campus. We remain committed to delivering the very best facilities for our students and staff.”