Northeastern University London recently relocated to a brand new, 21st century campus within Devon House, St Katharine Docks, where students enjoy a vibrant, collegiate community that delivers academically rigorous degree programmes.
Working with contractor, Workplace Creations, Style was asked to create flexible, collaborative space in the main foyer of building.
Delivering an innovative partitioning solution that enhances the contemporary, open plan feel of the room, a series of panels with decorative cut-outs can be manoeuvred to any point along a track system to form a cordoned off area within which small groups can gather.
With sound absorption properties, the panels reduce reverberation levels which is essential in a wide-open area such as this. When not required, the panels can be simply stacked to one side.
“Rather like our already established Working Wall system, this is less to do with formal room division and more to do with creating a solution that offers an aesthetic divide within the space,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director.
“It’s also a good example of Style’s versatility as a moveable wall specialist, as it demonstrates considerable lateral thinking in helping Northeastern University develop adaptable, highly functional space.
“The end result is perfect for informal collaborations, breakouts from lectures and brainstorming sessions where students want to work in a public space but have some degree of separation from the main room. It’s also useful to create a screen so that students can enjoy a game of pool or some social time while others in the area are studying.”
In addition to being the sole UK distributor for Dorma Hüppe and Skyfold moveable wall systems, Style has their own Working Wall creative partitioning solution.
Consisting of individual panels that slide and spin across an open space to create informal, collaborative meeting spaces, the Working Wall is great for brainstorming, with panels featuring optional magnetic, writeable whiteboards that can be swivelled round to share ideas with other groups.