I am delighted to have this new home for the Faculty. Our Students can look forward to advanced, innovative education, informed by the latest research and driven by the need of employers. Once again Coventry leads and inspires, and the future looks great.
Author Paul Ivey Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing
Coventry University

Concept to balance
science and nature…


The concept follows through into the collaborative classrooms, where traditional student tables were to be replaced by bespoke plectrum shaped learning pods where students sit in groups of 6 or 9 around tables with retractable computer screens. Each teaching space had large interactive screens and students were needed to both view these and work as part of a collaborative group.  As a result the traditional static student chairs would not be suitable, so needed to be replaced with task swivel chair, which would then allow freedom of movement for students.

The Air Mesh Back Chair was proposed, which features a modern Mesh back with and without adjustable arms, providing a modern, stylish solution.  

One of the biggest challenges that faced the project was the change in working environment for the teaching staff. Previously, staff had been based in traditional cellular offices, and had accumulated an increasing amount of storage over time. The whole ethos had to change. Not only were staff to be re-housed in shared office spaces, but individually each user was to have bespoke wall mounted Tambour Bookcase Storage Unit and noticeboard, colour coordinated in the buildings contemporary neutral colour palette. 

After the initial pilot schemes were produced, through collaboration with the individual staff, it was thought that there would not be sufficient storage space.  Emergent then had to redesign each room to accommodate both individual and shared storage. Bespoke Wooden Side Opening Tambour Cupboard were proposed which fitted perfectly within the dimensions available, along with purpose made bookcases.  The design of building interior, supported by a state of the art infrastructure including extensive workshops, a wind tunnel testing facility, lecture theatres and a roof top experiment area; created an ideal modern learning facility for Automotive and Aerospace Industry. Specially designed collaborative breakout spaces referred to as ‘Planet Areas’ were accessed via internal ‘bridges’, providing a spatial barrier away from the main concourse for Students to retreat and work. Flexible Kite Meeting Tables were selected so that students can reconfigure their surrounds as required; from collaborative to individual working. Modern skid framed Ursa chairs were provided in a selection of four Camira Blazer materials.
 

Inspirational
place of learning...


Once completed, the interior space was no less impressive. Contemporary White MFC tops on the Scape Lite benching was used throughout the Staff and Teaching areas, with matching meeting tables.  The Poco range of electrical desk mounted double power sockets and cables spines were installed allowing electrics to be routed from floor boxes to individual desk top.  Primary Contact  20° Workstation clusters were proposed for the open plan administration offices, with White MFC tops and stylish silver frame. Individual desk spaces were demarcated with colour co-ordinated desk mounted Series 40, aluminium framed screens.  The design of the building meant that the services were visible throughout, no more so than in the new striking Faculty Boardroom. The design brief was to provide an architectural inspired meeting table to seat 30 people.  Emergent proposed an inspiring frosted glass top barrel shaped table, manufactured in three sections.


Around this were positioned the stylish ‘Key’ range meeting chairs, which were upholstered in black leather. The complex futuristic design of the building unfortunately had knock-effects on the furniture provision. Delays to the planned building completion dates meant that previously manufactured products had to be stored off-site, and then installed once the building was ready. The Emergent Project Management Team, who were on-site throughout the whole process, were able to react to these unforeseen circumstances and ensure that the inspiring building was completed and on schedule.