WORK on a state-of-the-art multi-million-pound postgraduate centre at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has completed, with its grand opening commemorated via a special launch event.
The new building will predominantly be used by students from Nottingham Business School (NBS) and features collaborative classrooms and social areas. A dedicated outdoor environment is also being created, with a focus on supporting local wildlife through insect towers and planted areas. The facility was delivered by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, providing architecture, interior design and landscaping services to an SKA Silver Standard.
Additionally, the retrofit of the existing Belgrave Centre was delivered entirely via organisations based in the immediate East Midlands region, as well as NTU Construction Services, to support local investment and capabilities. Devika Parmar, director at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a collaborative project designed to significantly boost Nottingham Business School’s already considerable offering. The spaces will be inhabited by postgraduate students, some of whom already work part-time in corporate offices. This directed the changes to likewise have an office feel, so that the students can further embed themselves comfortably into those kinds of environments.
“To ensure we were getting the elements correct, we held regular stakeholder meetings between project teams, stakeholder groups, school deans, and student leads, helping to determine the most beneficial and productive layouts to incorporate into the final build.
“The design of this space is flexible and adaptable so that the school can continue to teach the next generation of our workforce as effectively as possible. Alongside the indoor areas, students will also be able enjoy the outdoor space in the summer, with settings that help to promote wellbeing through a clear steer on nature, biodiversity and sustainability. We’re proud to continue our long-standing relationship with NTU and deliver a facility fit for the future.”
Professor Baback Yazdani, executive dean of NBS, said: “The Postgraduate Centre will be the home of NBS’ postgraduate and executive education for professionals and postgraduate students from across the world. It has been designed to bring state-of-the-art educational technology together with world class teaching and community space for all our postgraduate and exec ed students and staff, catering for our growing international student population and corporate clients at the heart of our campus and the city of Nottingham.”
The completion of the new centre was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony, undertaken by NTU Vice-Chancellor, professor Edward Peck. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/