Design for new Faculty of Arts building revealed

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCB) will design the new Faculty of Arts building after winning the international competition run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The building will accommodate the 7 departments and research centres that are currently spread between the Humanities building and Milburn house. The new site will replace car park 7 near the Oculus and the Arts Centre.

It is expected to cost around £33 million to build, and construction is due to start at the beginning of August 2018 with completion at the end of May 2020.

An artist’s impression of the building was published on Facebook this morning and attracted several comments of varying opinion.
Ling Lim said: “Airy, raw, nice muted tones. Great to have a centre of gravity where great minds meet and have discourse.”

Chris Pulling, however, commented: “Taking away even more parking from the Campus. I do love losing £25 from my wages to constantly struggle to find somewhere to park! And where are patrons coming to see shows at the Arts Centre [going] to park? Or do we expect them to walk 11 minutes as well, after paying £45-£50 for tickets.”

Andy Theobald, Partner at FCB, expressed their excitement at the prospect of this new project. He said: “This will be a very significant new building for the campus and one that will embody the cultural values of both the University and the Faculty.”

The building is part of Stuart Croft’s, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, plan to open a new academic building every year until 2023.

Croft commented: “I’m extremely pleased that the new building, in close proximity to the Warwick Arts Centre, also further strengthens the University’s appeal as a cultural destination, creating space to engage with our local community through a range of opportunities including: language training, access to fantastic performance and exhibition zones, and other activities to support Coventry’s Cultural Strategy.”