University News Last updated 10 December 2010
Birmingham City University is set to publically unveil plans for phase one of its new City Centre Campus.
The University will be showcasing its vision for a purpose-built facility to home the world-class provision offered by the University’s Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.
The new centre of excellence will also offer technology-based arts provision and feature TV, radio and photographic studios that will underpin the University’s media courses.
The proposed campus will be a landmark development for the University, putting it firmly at the heart of the city, and providing a vibrant addition to the Eastside regeneration project.
The ambitious scheme will be revealed to the public on Friday, December 10, at a special exhibition at Birmingham’s Millennium Point at Eastside. The event will feature architect’s drawing and a visualisation of the building. Visitors will be invited to give feedback on the plans.
The consultation event will run from 8.00am to 8.00pm and coincides with the launch of a special microsite that will host a virtual exhibition for online visitors.
“We are now in the exciting position of being able to showcase our vision for phase one of our new City Centre Campus scheme,” said Professor David Tidmarsh, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University.
“This project is a landmark not only for Birmingham City University – but to the city and the region we proudly serve.
“Our City Centre Campus plans aim to support the creative industries, a crucial sector in both the regional and national economies, and will ensure we maintain our leadership in this field.
“The campus is also an important part of the planning jigsaw that makes up Birmingham’s Big City Plan, the most far-reaching citywide development project ever undertaken in the UK.
“Therefore we welcome feedback from all stakeholders who, I am sure, will recognise that this project is an historic opportunity for the University to reposition itself in the fast-changing higher education landscape.”
The new campus would have the benefit of being adjacent to Millennium Point, which is already home to the University’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment (TEE).
Students, staff and visitors to the new campus would benefit from nearby transport links including the redeveloped New Street station and the proposed high speed rail link.
Architects have drawn up plans for a five floor building on the site of what is currently used as a car park which runs adjacent to Curzon Street. Designed around an inner atrium the new city centre campus will house state-of-the-art media facilities such as television and photographic studios.
The building, which will run alongside the proposed scenic city centre park, will be also used to house public art displays.
The new campus proposal will be submitted to planners in January and it is hoped work will start in August 2011 for occupation in September 2013.