BFF were commissioned to undertake Masterplanning Studies and options appraisals, including costed phasing analysis, preparation of ‘dry brief’, and associated space planning, for the newly formed Faculty of Business & Law (FBL).

FBL is located across three buildings and required both an exercise in rationalising (to ideally two sites) and management of projected growth. The existing buildings in which the faculty was located were of reasonable quality, but were not particularly efficient in terms of density of occupation; the largest block only achieving gross/net ratios of less than 60%.

Taking the University’s space model as a starting point, BFF were able to interrogate this creating a sensible area target both for current provision and projected growth. Areas were rationalised to the point where two of the three schools could be accommodated within the largest of the two existing buildings, which were well placed on campus to work together. Existing lecture theatres were a particular weakness, and significant expansion was also required in this area. By deciding to effectively rebuild this block, new larger capacity spaces for 200- and 100-person audience groups could be accommodated within a new facility, which also included enhanced break out space.

Again, working in a highly “forensic” way, BFF were able to demonstrate that existing areas plus growth could be accommodated in the existing buildings with some non-structural remodelling. The Law School stood strategically in a slightly separated location and were able to expand within their existing facility during the project’s implementation,. However it was concluded that they would ultimately benefit from a new build Law School facility, integrated with the new lecture theatre block, and acting as a new and more visible “front door” to the whole Faculty.

Of particular note within the appraisal was the decision to realign circulation routes on each major floor of the largest of the existing blocks. This created a much more efficient floor plate, with teaching rooms better aligned with the typical class sizes established in the space model. This simple device, increased gross/net efficiency from less than 60% to greater than 70% within the same built enclosure, delivering around 700sqm of new net area.