Design Engine West Downs Visualisation

University of Winchester’s New State-of-the-Art Building Moves a Step Closer

22 June 2017

The University of Winchester has been granted planning permission to construct a new building at its West Downs site. The new building, which will be built on undeveloped land within the West Downs site next to the Grade-II-listed West Downs Centre, will provide first-class teaching and learning facilities and will be home to the University’s new computer and digital-related degree programmes.

Professor Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, said:

Our new building at West Downs represents an important investment for the University and the city. As a successful values-driven higher education institution, we aim to maintain our strong national and global position in the years ahead. Offering an outstanding student experience remains a top priority for us. A key way we do this is by continuously improving the University’s campus and ensuring our students and the wider community have access to the best facilities. I am also delighted that, as a major employer and a key part of the city, the University will have such a stunning and impressive presence at the main gateway into the city centre from the south-west.Professor Joy Carter Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester

The new building will feature new teaching spaces, social learning areas, a law library, 250-seat auditorium, art gallery, courtyard garden, café and food hall.

Richard Jobson, Director of Design Engine, said:

We are proud to have worked closely with the University over the last ten years. Ultimately we see the West Downs project as the most important building the University has commissioned to date and as such we are passionate in our desire to help the University deliver a landmark scheme on this site.Richard Jobson Director of Design Engine

Construction begins in summer 2017 and will take approximately two years, with completion in autumn 2019.