News - Chris grayling

Official openings mark success of buildings

This year has seen the official opening of two, multi-million pound refurbished buildings that were led and delivered by Estate Services.

The School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies along with the Institute for Transport Studies have been applauded for the significant improvements made to the buildings, resulting in modernised environments for students and staff.

Peter Morgan, an award-winning scriptwriter was among the scores of alumni returning to the University of Leeds’ School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies to celebrate the opening of its new home. The refurbishment of the listed building in University Road marks an investment of £7.6 million, bringing the School together in one site close to the heart of the campus. It provides students with an impressive, modernised environment including quality studio space, fully-equipped workshops, a multi-purpose project space and a large student common room.

Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport opened the £4m building for Institute for Transport Studies, which provides a new modern research and teaching space. Enhanced spaces have been created for PhD and post-doctoral researchers, to ensure that the University is supporting emerging talent alongside its world-class professors. The new building also marks 50 years since the discipline of transport studies was first established at Leeds.

“These are exciting times for transport policy and planning in the UK, and our world class Institute for Transport Studies is ideally placed to help shape this agenda and deliver innovative solutions” Professor Lisa Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Find out more about the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.
Find out more about the Institute for Transport Studies.

    

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2016 year in review

Campus Developments in 2016

As the year draws to an end we take a look back on how campus has changed in the space of just 12 months.

The development of our estate and infrastructure remains a key factor in the University‘s ability to achieve its strategic goals. This sustained period of change and improvement is enabling us to respond to new challenges and opportunities to underpin our future success.

Major schemes completed in 2016

 

Large schemes progressed well

A number of large investment schemes have also seen part project completion during 2016 and have included the handover of two thirds of the Edward Boyle Library in autumn. A sizeable proportion of the School of Chemical and Process Engineering refurbishment has completed alongside the completion of Level 11 of the Worsley Building also including the opening of PURE café.

Art on Campus

In 2016 a number of significant artworks including some newly commissioned, restored and acquired on long-term loan arrived on campus, contributing to our vision of creating an inspirational campus.

We welcomed back one of the largest pieces of art – Untitled Bas-Relief, an aluminium sculpture by Hubert Dalwood. The work originally adorned the University’s Bodington Hall of residence. It has now been installed in a new home on the stage@leeds building.

Nearby is Dual Form by the great British sculptor Barbara Hepworth, on loan for five years from the Leeds Art Gallery.

Find out more about the Leeds University Union project.

  
Projects Map

The big stories of 2016…

Fine art

Building work complete for Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies

The School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies received official handover of their new building this month.

The £7.6m year-long project has involved a complete refurbishment of the former School of Geography site, to create a first class, inspirational learning environment for current and future students.

Staff will move into the building on University Road from early August, with the building expected to be fully operational for the start of term.

Paul Cook, Project Manager, University Estates Service commented: 

“This has been a thoroughly rewarding project. We are incredibly pleased with the significant transformation of the original building to what it has become now – which is a modern environment that  will enable the School to become a leading Centre for art, heritage and critical humanities and culture in the UK. Working closely with Abigail Harrison Moore and her team throughout the project has ensured the clients’ needs were catered for from start to finish.”

Abigail Harrison Moore, Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies said:

“We are delighted with our new building. The sympathetic restoration of this historic building, — linked through its architect, Paul Waterhouse, to the architectural style that formed the beginnings of the University of Leeds one hundred years ago — has enabled the development of a School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies ready for the next one hundred years of excellent teaching and research.

“Our students are excited to be starting or continuing their degrees in the amazing new studio, workshop and teaching spaces. Studying in this impressive space for art and culture at the heart of the campus will enable them to continue to benefit from the unique inter-disciplinary approaches to the subjects that our School is celebrated for nationally and internationally.

“We are very grateful to the teams of builders, architects and engineers who have turned our ideas into reality, and to the Estates team that have made this possible. We thank the Vice Chancellor, University Executive Group and University Council for having the vision to invest in the future of fine art, history of art, cultural studies and museum studies teaching and research. We look forward to welcoming colleagues and visitors to our new building.”

Find out more about the Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies building.

Edward Boyle Library

£520m development now underway

Our ambitious five-year plan to transform the University campus is now well underway, as we invest £520m in the development of 19 new sites and the refurbishment of our older buildings.

This investment supports the Strategic Plan by further enhancing our students’ experience, and growing our research income through the development of new research platforms. As a result, students, staff and key partners will have access to new, world leading facilities and equipment, such as the £17m Astbury Centre, housing electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and the new University Enterprise and Innovation Centre which will provide a high profile gateway and UK leading environment for collaboration and partnership.

Individual project investments range from £90m to £90k, and several are already underway including a £40m refurbishment of the School of Medicine, £8m refurbishment of the Grade II listed Fine Art building, and the £25m refurbishment of Edward Boyle Library.