Refurbishment of the University of Southampton’s Business School

We delivered a Cat B fit out at the University of Southampton’s business school that redefines space and enhances functionality.

Project partners

  • ARUP
  • Mace Group
  • Miltiadou Cook Mitzman Architects
  • CPC Project Services

Key features

  • Value creation
  • Material and infrastructure reuse
  • Local school social value
  • Flexible work settings

The University of Southampton undertook a refurbishment of an existing space recently vacated by an outgoing commercial tenant. We were tasked with refurbishing five of the six building floors, delivering a modern and practical environment to suit the new requirements of the university’s business school as part of the wider campus development plan. A key focus of the project was to adapt the space to contribute to further enhance their reputation whilst getting the best value for money from the available budget.

Value for money

The initial budget allocation for the project took place two years ago and created us some challenges to ensure we delivered best value for our client without compromising on quality. We put a focus on reusing materials and infrastructure. We chose to repurpose carpets and conducted furniture audits to determine if any existing pieces were suitable for the design. We also introduced an alternative fresh air ventilation scheme to the newly formed cellular offices. These changes maximised office comfort whilst providing the best value for money for our client. Despite facing challenges such as space constraints and tight timelines, we navigated through these obstacles and ensured the successful delivery of the project.

A significant amount of the redundant IT and AV equipment used by the vacating tenant was left. As part of a joint social value initiative with the University we decided to collect this and refurbish it for use by local schools.

A welcome reconfiguration

The project enhances the University of Southampton by modernising its facilities and creates a more welcoming and functional environment for students, visitors, and staff. The reworked floorplans offer versatile work settings, including touchdown desks, café space and quiet booths, promoting collaboration and productivity. In addition, the introduction of new seminar teaching space into an open plan floorplate ensures that the university continues to provide a platform for students to excel in a modern learning environment.

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