The new University of Cumbria says £8.5m building designed by Wilson Mason and Partners will be completed in August 2008

The University of Cumbria has been given the green light for its first new building. The £8.5m Student Centre designed by Wilson Mason and Partners will be the focal point of the University’s Lancaster campus.

The building was approved by Lancaster City Council last month and will feature a ‘one-stop’ shop, a catering outlet, office space as well as educational areas over 2,795 sq m.

Local stone has been incorporated in the design and the university says that natural ventilation has helped the building attain a very good BREEAM rating.

Student Centre University of Cumbria

Alan Williams, project architect at Wilson Mason, comments: “The space has been designed for practical use by students but the building has such attributes to be a ‘gateway’ focal point for the campus.”

The £5m construction contract is due for completion in August 2008. The new University of Cumbria will open in July 2007.