New Science Building – UEA

• £18m new science teaching building
• Severe level change accommodated in the landscape design to achieve compliant access
• Social spaces created on an ecologically sensitive site

The New Science Building at the University of East Anglia (UEA) offers students updated science and teaching facilities. The new building is sited on a slope and so the landscape design incorporates an upper and lower courtyard to overcome this, with feature steps leading down to the building entrance.

The split courtyard design creates impact on the building approach while taking design inspiration from the central campus spaces – The Square and The Street – providing continuity of design and materials across campus. The courtyards link with the café square at the Julian Study Centre to provide a new social space for students within the heart of the university teaching accommodation.

The sloping site provided opportunities in the design, but also presented challenges such as achieving compliant access, integrating with the road and adjacent buildings, and providing a services and deliveries area.

Initially appointed by the client (UEA), we were later employed by the contractor, RG Carter Ltd. We worked closely with the UEA departments throughout to understand the requirements for servicing the building, external storage of equipment and supplies for science teaching.

The new building is on a sensitive site adjacent to the Yare Valley, Violet Grove and Earlham Park. Ecological interventions include a brown roof, bug hotel and native woodland planting.