The new £6.5m University of Winchester Student Centre was won by invited competition in 2004 and represents our third project for the University. The 3000sqm building sits on a steeply sloping site, where the natural topography of the campus is both a virtue in terms of character and a hindrance to access. The design involves two main entrance courts with secondary access at mid level to accommodation, which includes reception, venue, restaurant, internet cafeĢ, bookshop and offices.
The topography of the University campus determines that roof forms are important, since they are seen from high points of the campus. Whilst the John Stripe Theatre (our second building for the University) has a ‘living’ sedum roof, the New Student Centre was designed with an undulating roof form. It underwent many iterations and was explored in different three-dimensional media, including card models (see below), which were a valuable aid to the early stages of that process.
