The University of Nottingham launched an invited design competition to establish a coherent masterplan for a new campus on an 18.5 acre site approximately one mile from the main University campus. The development of the new site was to consist of a mix of residential, amenity and academic facilities. The brief from the university was to design a world-class sustainable campus utilising renewable energy sources.

Five practices were selected to take part in the design phase from over 100 initial applications and the jury panel unanimously selected the scheme submitted by Hopkins Architects as the winner.

The panel felt this design was bold and imaginative in its strategic approach to the masterplan. The design includes an artificial lake running the full length of the site which creates a visual link with University Park. A dramatic architectural feature of the design is an inverted cone structure, set on an island platform. This is the learning resource centre providing a focal point for the whole campus and containing the library and a 24-hour access computer laboratory.

The total development cost for the project was £50 million. The building was officially opened by Her Majesty and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in December 1999.

Awards

Millennium Marque – Award for Environmental Excellence 1999

Nottingham Lord Mayors Awards – Special Award 2000

British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA) – Building Project of the Year 2000

Hot Dip Galvanising Award 2000

UK Solar Award 2001

Aluminium Imagination Awards 2001 Commendation

RIBA Award 2001

RIBA Journal Sustainability Award 2001

Civic Trust Awards – Special Award for Sustainability 2002

Energy Globe Awards 2002