Artist’s impression of the new Student Hub, which will incorporate contemporary design, stylish furniture and provide a light and spacious area where students can relax and socialise.
Planning permission has been granted to develop a new single storey extension as part of a major £5million refurbishment programme designed to transform Cedar House, home to the School of Medicine.
Professor Hazel Scott, Dean of the School of Medicine, explains: “The redevelopment of Cedar House is crucial to realising our new vision for the School of Medicine. This £5million investment will help create a superb space for medical training and a welcoming home for our vibrant community of staff, students, alumni and NHS colleagues.”
The extension will enable a new student hub to be developed on the ground floor, offering social spaces where students can relax and socialise as well as new study areas. The courtyard will also be re-landscaped making it fully accessible from the new extension, with enhanced connections between the inside and outside spaces of the building.
The School will shortly be consulting with medical students to get their views on the designs for the new student hub, including the type of furniture and facilities they’d like in both the social and study areas.
Professor Scott continues: “Engaging effectively with our students is really important to the success of this project. The student hub is their space and student feedback will help ensure we get the layouts and ambience right.”
Work is already underway on refurbishing the six-storey building to improve its learning and social environment and create a more identifiable ‘home’ for the School’s 1,500 medical students.
Investigations are also ongoing on how to incorporate simulation training facilities, so that students can benefit from enhanced experiential learning techniques.
This £5million building programme is being delivered as part of Project LIVE, a £7million strategic investment project, which has already facilitated the recruitment of 100 new staff to a range of academic, clinical and professional services roles.
Project LIVE also encompasses the development of new IT systems which will further enhance the student experience plus a new brand and marketing strategy.
Work on the extension is due to start in January 2019, with completion scheduled for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.
Further information is available on the Project LIVE website