TWO North East firms are to help transform a landmark Teesside University building as the next phase of a £300m Campus Masterplan.

Durham architectural practice Howarth Litchfield, and Summers-Inman whose headquarters are in Newcastle, are to lead a £5million project to remodel the Buttery building - the former dining hall in the neighbouring Grade II listed Waterhouse Building - into a Postgraduate Student Hub.


The new building near the Borough Road entrace to the university will provide space exclusively for postgraduate students and researchers to study, collaborate and socialise on campus. 

Read more: University wins tech funding from Alan Turing Institute


It is the first project to break ground since the covid pandemic and is the latest development in the university’s long-term plan to redevelop the Middlesbrough campus.


The project comprises the design and extensive refurbishment of an existing two-storey building in addition to a new extension, will combine with earlier completed schemes to improve the campus and provide world-class student facilities.


Upon completion, The Postgraduate Student Hub will provide collaborative workspaces, quiet study zones, media booths and state of the art digital facilities, as well as a social lounge and refreshment facilities.


The new extension will provide a modern entrance feature to the building, visible from Borough Road and the Northern Gateway, whilst still retaining the building’s original features. 


The building design has been engineered to meet the university’s carbon reduction targets and the existing building is being upgraded to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. 


Dave Pickersgill, Director of Howarth Litchfield said: “This is a fantastic project for Howarth Litchfield. The university is dedicated to providing exceptional student facilities and they have a real commitment to reaching their carbon reduction targets.


“As a business, we are striving to be market leaders in our own approach to sustainability and provide sound advice to our partners, so it’s great to work with such a forward-thinking client in this respect.” 


Andrew Rapmund, Associate Director at Summers-Inman said: “This project is just another in a list of exceptional schemes at the university.


“We have had the privilege of working on ground-breaking projects such as the Net Zero Innovation Centre, the Cornell Quarter and the award-winning Student Life building, so it’s great to continue to be part of the roll out of their masterplan.”


Malcolm Page, Chief Operating Officer at Teesside University, said: “Teesside is a forward-looking, global university and we are committed to providing a campus environment that continues to attract students from around the world.

 

“This modern, flexible and dedicated space for our thriving postgraduate student community will ensure they get the very best university experience.


“We are excited about this latest development and look forward to working with our partners and students to deliver another world-class study and social space.” 


With £275m invested to date, the Campus Masterplan sets out an ambitious programme of investment to 2027, transforming the campus and providing modern facilities for students, staff and partners.

The Postgraduate Student Hub is due for completion in September.

 

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