Archive for category: LUU

A living wall can transform any vertical surface into a creative and stunning visual with the use of lush foliage, colourful flowers or swaying grasses. These impressive pieces have become popular in recent years in new and modern urban spaces, buildings and developments.

During the refurbishment of the Leeds University Union (LUU) – a project aiming to provide state of the art facilities and retain LUU’s status as one of the UK’s biggest and best unions – the idea of installing a living wall seemed only appropriate. The wall provides an attractive piece of living artwork in a location that would have otherwise been wasted space.

In line with the University’s Sustainability Strategy, the purpose of the wall promotes our commitment to sustainability and wellbeing. The ANS Living Wall system uses rain water through an irrigation system to water the six plant species in the feature: syngoniums (white butterfly); asplenium nidus; ahilodendron scandens; asparagus “sprengeri”; scindapsus “trebie”; and maranta leuconeura “kerchoveana”.

A significant part of the £16.8m modernisation of the University Union Building is now complete.  View the photos below:

Find out more about the Leeds University Union project.

You might also like…

 

Main works to transform the Union Building are now underway

Aidan Grills, Chief Executive of Leeds University Union talks more about the project.

The deal has been done, the plans finalised, the asbestos stripped out and Sir Robert McAlpines’ builders can finally start on site as the main contractor for the Union Upgrade. As Celebrate Week was in full swing at the end of April 2016, final arrangements were being made to the phasing of activity which should see the Union Upgrade project delivered by the end of next April 2017. This is much sooner than expected and part of the proposal submitted by SRM which showed they understand how important it is to our work to consider the year around student activity we need to maintain.

Interior design work has been developed, with significant attention going towards maintaining the key aspects of the Old Bar we all want to retain whilst we upgrade the furniture, kitchen and behind the bar areas.

One of the most exciting aspects to show people is the new Raven Theatre which will really feel like a brand new asset to our venues. Every time I get to tour people through the area through Mine, even those who think they know LUU well, are excited about the potential this offers.

Current Activity Programme

An overview of the key activity expected over the next few months is outlined below:

• May 2016: SRM starts on site in phased approach to programme of work covering Old Bar, the Riley Smith Hall and Pulse.
• June 2016: Work begins around the Foyer, Stylus corridor and Mine.
• August 2016: Work begins on the Raven Theatre, Central Atrium, Common Room, Market Square and further works to the Foyer. Works to Pulse and the new Terrace kitchen will also be completed at this time.
• September 2016: Completion of Old Bar, Riley Smith Hall, Mine, Terrace Kitchen and first phase of the Foyer.
• December 2016: Completion of Central Atrium, Common Room, Market Square, further works to the foyer and the Raven Theatre.
• January – April 2017: Work will be completed around the North Entrance, backlog maintenance and new Studio spaces.

Thank you to so many students and staff who have supported us to get this far along the way to refurbishing our building. The Union Upgrade is well and truly under way and we will see the results in new activity in the next academic year!

Find out more about the Leeds University Union project.