Here at the University of Essex we are surely being provided with the wide range of facilities and the studying environment is of the best quality. However, as the university’s reputation is growing, the campuses are growing with it. Literally.
One of the most well-known and most anticipated projects is the Student Centre and extension of the Albert Sloman library in the main Colchester campus. The start of construction is expected to start in March and end in early 2014. Even though the noise disruptions and closed pathways are not ideal for those who will be trying to prepare for exams or use library facilities, it is definitely worth waiting for. The building is designed by architects Patel Taylor, they also created the design of the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall at the Colchester Campus, so obviously we can expect an exceptional design and quality!
The new centre will be providing students with broad range of services. The so called ‘one stop shop’ will be concentrating accommodation, finance, registry and student support. The University is famous of its labyrinthine walls, so this centre will definitely be a time saver having all these functions under one roof. What is more, the centre will also include us with new integrated learning spaces for group working, new IT facilities, a state-of-the-art media centre and will offer a 24-hour reading room. What more can a dutiful student wish for!
Even though we already have a pretty efficient and comfortable system in the library, the extension of Albert Sloman library will update an archive and special collections book store, provide a 24-hour postgraduate study area, additional study space and library shelving and an expanded student book collection.
The construction of another also very important and ambitious project has already been started and it is expected to be completed in early 2014. It is the new home for our popular Essex Business School, which is being created next to the University’s new Knowledge Gateway research park in Colchester campus, and the building is already famous for its sustainable design.
It is of essential importance to be as friendly to the environment as possible these days. The materials that are harmful are old fashioned and Essex is going GREEN! The building will have a range of sustainable design features integrated. This reflects Essex Business School’s ethos of encouraging the development of sustainable business strategies. At the heart of the design is a winter garden which will act as an environmental buffer zone, supporting the passive ventilation and heating strategy of the three storey building. The designs include formal and informal learning and teaching spaces, a 200-seater lecture theatre, state-of-the-art ICT provision, social spaces and a café. One of the greenest business schools in the UK maybe?
It is not only the Colchester campus that is changing. The plans are that in August 2013 a four-storey building will be built on the site of the former Farringdon Car Park, our Southend campus. It will provide a new public and academic library to replace the existing Central Library, a new teaching facility for the College and new research and learning facilities for the University. This new project is to be called The Forum. It will also provide a new home for the Focal Point Gallery as well as a new café and lecture theatre. All new and all for you!
To sum it up, despite of a few interferences during construction periods, new developments in the facilities of the University will help in many ways. It is essential to keep moving forward and open new doors. The most important thing is to get as much use of these facilities as possible.
Good luck!
Amber
