Manchester, UK – Plans have recently been submitted for Liverpool John Moores University’s new flagship building on Copperas Hill. BDP won the commission to refurbish the former Royal Mail Centre close to Lime Street Station in July 2014.
Architect director Sue Emms said: “Copperas Hill will be transformed into a vibrant, student-centred and convivial hub building and provide a new focus to LJMU's campus. A new public route through the building will enhance civic engagement and connect existing campuses. The new central atrium creates a spiritual heart and a sense of place within the building and learning terraces step up uniting all levels, users and activities. The terraces will animate the building externally and connect the new city park at ground level to a sky garden on the roof. The highly glazed building will showcase the university and be transparent, open and connected.”
The five-storey building will be expanded to include two mezzanine floors and use of the roof for sports and recreation. It will house the university’s library, restaurants and retail space, and student zones will be created around the building to accommodate different working methods, including quiet spaces and areas for creative and collaborative working.
A flexible central teaching unit will include a variety of lecture theatres, as well as general teaching spaces, seminar rooms and IT suites. The building will also be home to the Students’ Union, providing a central location for its administrative functions, as well as enabling easy access to the facilities for its clubs and societies.
LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Weatherill, commented: “Sometimes the term transformational is overused but the impact of the new development at Copperas Hill cannot be overestimated. Importantly for LJMU it will revolutionise the student experience and the physical shape of the university but it will also have a highly positive effect on the city itself.”
It is expected the new building will be open for use at the start of the academic year 2018.
