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Oastler Building

Huddersfield, UK

Services

Sectors

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project overview

Pushing the boundaries of higher education design

The Oastler Building at the University of Huddersfield pushes the boundaries of what is possible, creating a world-class teaching and learning space that paves the way for further local regeneration.

Embracing the innovative and ever-evolving nature of the campus, Oastler celebrates education, through flexible spaces that are completely adaptable. Giving the space the ability to accommodate and keep up with the progression of the curriculum, students and education environment.

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project aims

Landmark of the town

The brief called for a landmark building to inspire students and staff through the provision of an exceptional teaching and learning environment.

Although on the surface the brief seemed simple, it posed unusual challenges. We needed to provide an all-encompassing new teaching space that addressed the growth of Law within the Business School as well as Humanities within the School of Music, Humanities and Media.

All of which had to be achieved within a minimum footprint, as part of a cohesive wider masterplan and on a site with an unusual topography.

The superb design means that it will become an emblem for our university and for the town of Huddersfield too. In fact, the building, in its prominent location, is already a local icon. The design is brilliant, complex and innovative.”

Professor Bob Cryan

Vice-Chancellor, University of Huddersfield

Design realisation

Delivering a landmark

We created an instantly recognisable landmark for the University through innovative technologies to achieve curved architectural aluminium fins. The fins play an important part in the environmental strategy to help combat solar gain and glare. The sinuous form was derived from tracking the sun path across the facade and optimising where these were required, taking into consideration orientation and the cantilevered floor plates.

Transparency and visual connectivity were two key driving forces in our design, to showcase the exemplary research and learning that takes place inside the building.

Our response to this was a dynamic self-shading form which overcomes a steep level change to create a window into the life of the university, allowing people outside to see within.

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design and innovation

Innovative technologies for maintenance and flexibility

By minimising the number of internal columns, we have created highly flexibility and adaptable spaces, allowing them to be easily reconfigured and suit the university’s every changing requirements.

A flexible fire-engineering solution, allows spaces to be ‘opened-up’ into the atrium space at multiple levels.

This was the first university building where the Architectural Asset data was used in the estate team’s Estate Management Software. This gives the estate team detailed information on the components of the building, ensuring repairs and maintenance are as easy and efficient as possible.

Inspiring spaces

A place for students and staff to thrive

A flagship for the University and the town, the Oastler building provides an exceptional teaching and learning space, inspiring learners and staff and visitors.


Social value

Made in Huddersfield

The project is quintessentially Huddersfield. We were firmly committed to using local suppliers, local materials and a local workforce wherever possible, to support the local economy. We even developed a bespoke stone rainscreen cladding system with a local stone supplier, which is an achievement we are especially proud of!

£3.6m

investment
in the local economy

92%

of the investment
went to local SME’s

26%

supply chain spend
in the local area

75%

of the workforce
was made up by local residents

10

apprentices
learned their trades on the project

300

local students
visited the site as part of their education and training

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Key information

Project summary

Location

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3DH

Client

University of Huddersfield

Completion

2017

Value

£27m

Environmental

BREEAM Excellent

Size

7,624 m2

Includes

4 x 300 seat lecture theatres
Tutorial spaces
Offices
Language labs
Law Court

Awards

LABC Building Excellence Awards 2017
Winner
- Educational

Education Estates Awards 2019
Shortlisted
- Project of the Year Colleges & Universities

RIBA Yorkshire Awards 2018
Shortlisted


RICS Yorkshire and Humber Regional Awards 2018
Shortlisted
- Design through Innovation

Constructing Excellence Awards Yorkshire & Humber 2018
Shortlisted


Insider Yorkshire Property Awards 2017
Highly Commended
- Design Excellence

Building Awards 2017
Shortlisted
- Project of the Year Award

Team

Meet the team behind the project

Contact

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