SOABE - University of Wolverhampton

The school of Architecture and the Built Environment (SOABE) provides space for over 1,200 students, professional learners and a staff of research professionals. The teaching and learning facitility, is intended to have extended working hours so that they can cater for all kind of activities. 

The building used to be a 12 acre grade II listed former brewery before it was made into a stunning campus. The current design provides a robust, flexible layout that offers scope for adaption depending on the changing needs of the University. The new elements of the building are designed to complement the existing retained building, that has a historic expression and building lines. 

The University building is an incredible fusion between modern and old architecture, the internal part has a grand open staircase and the form of the atrium is generated from an existing courtyard from the 1892 complex. d line products from the Knud Holscher and Arne Jacobsen collection were used in the whole building, and they also complement the mix between new and old, with the classic look of the AJ lever and the modern expression of the Knud Holscher products. 

"We worked closely with d line to develop a specification that offered continuity throughout, whilst allowing us to vary the finish of the handles to reflect the specific historical or contemporary context of the different parts of the building. The timeless elegance, functionality and tactility of the Arne Jacobsen lever handle are perfectly aligned with the design principles of SOABE."