At the start of this new year, the Estates team has a busy programme of works ahead to develop BU’s facilities and support the learning and working environment for our students and staff. Here is a short update of the main projects that we are currently working on.
Lansdowne Campus
Bournemouth Gateway Building
Progress with the Bournemouth Gateway Building (BGB) continues and we are now finalising the detailed timeline for the completion of the building and Faculty relocation. This information will be confirmed in our next update. To provide enough time to fit out the building with specialist equipment, such as the MRI scanner and Skills Laboratories equipment etc, full timetabled use will commence from September 2020, although the building will open earlier in the summer to facilitate a phased move into the building.
The building will become the new home for the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences and will play a pivotal role in BU’s future development. You can find out more – and view the latest images of the building - on our website.
Studland House
The refurbishment of the second floor of Studland House was completed on schedule and IT Services is now in the process of moving down from the seventh and sixth floors. Designed according to the needs of the team, their new floor offers IT a range of working and formal and informal meeting spaces.
The Estates team is now working on phase two of the project, which will see Human Resources & Organisational Development and Legal Services moving from Melbury House into Studland House. This phase is expected to be completed by October 2020.
Talbot Campus
Poole Gateway Building
Since receiving the keys to the Poole Gateway Building (PGB) in the autumn, the Estates team has been working hard with IT Services, Faculties and external suppliers installing the specialist equipment and the furniture in the building. The PGB will provide the latest professional-level facilities to support students in the Faculty of Media and Communication and the Faculty of Science and Technology. To find out more about this fantastic building, please head to the website.
The final preparations are currently being put in place and the building will open for timetabled use on 3 February.
Christchurch House
Work is ongoing to provide further new specialist facilities in Christchurch House in addition to the new laboratories delivered in 2019. These facilities will support students and staff in the Faculty of Science & Technology and Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, especially in the fields of biomedical sciences and medical sciences.
The proposed works which are planned to be delivered between April to September 2020, subject to final approvals, include the replacement of specialist wet-lab resources from Bournemouth House, a new toxicology lab and the reconfiguration and enhancement of existing Faculty of Science & Technology lab facilities, as well as the conversion of PC labs into shared Postgraduate Research work and meeting spaces, and the delivery of a new bio-bank facility essential for human tissue storage.
Arne House
We have now submitted the planning application for Arne House, which will provide teaching and staff facilities for the Faculty of Science & Technology as well as meeting and general teaching facilities available to all staff and students. Specialist spaces will include computing and psychology labs and research space to support the BU2025 strategic investment areas.
Further updates on when this project will be delivered will be provided once planning permission is secured.
You can find out more about this new building, which will be located next to the Poole Gateway Building, on our website.
Subject to planning consent, we anticipate that Arne House will be open for use during the 2024/25 academic year.
Chapel Gate
As part of BU’s acquisition of the site last year, the Board approved capital investment for Chapel Gate and the investment has commenced. This includes the reconstruction of hockey pitch two, LED lighting enhancements and car park improvements.
