by WilkinsonEyre

The Forum, University of Exeter

WilkinsonEyre was appointed in 2008 to design this new centrepiece for the University of Exeter’s famously hilly Streatham Campus. Working with the natural features of the site, the scheme creates a ‘green corridor’ to connect the Forum with the wider landscape.

Central to the scheme is an undulating timber gridshell roof, which shelters and unifies a series of new student-focused spaces within. The fluid form contrasts with the orthogonal brick volumes of the existing buildings on this steeply sloping site, and respects key views across the city to Dartmoor.

The Forum features an extended and refurbished library, new learning spaces, student services, catering and retail outlets, a landscaped plaza and new University reception as part of a £450 million capital investment programme which has propelled Exeter into the top ten UK universities.

Sustainability was an important driver in the development of the scheme, which has been designed to meet a series of a challenging environmental targets, and in doing so the project achieved a BREEAM Excellent accreditation.

DetailsLocation: Exeter, UKClient: University of ExeterArchitect: WilkinsonEyreStructural Engineer: BuroHappold Area: 9,000m² Value: £31mDate: Completed May 2012BREEAM rating: Excellent

AwardsCivic Trust Award 2015Higher Education Building of the Year, World Architecture Festival 2013RIBA Awards 2013 National Award Wood Awards 2012 – Highly CommendedIStructE Awards 2013 Best Education or Healthcare Structure