Durham University Business School

Durham University’s world-renowned Business School is one of an elite group of UK Schools with Triple Accreditation. Its facilities were in need of expansion and modernisation, and we were therefore commissioned to design this new facility.

The building accommodates a full range of academic operations from undergraduate and postgraduate study to corporate functions and management training. The development includes an iconic, fully-glazed extension which enhanced the façade and improved circulation flow. The curved nature of the extension provides informal areas, allowing users to interact, and the circulation routes help to create engaging spaces which promote movement and activity.

The new feature corridor space is served by a natural ventilation system, based on stack vent principles. A holistic approach to sustainability was at the heart of this project, with the target set at BREEAM "Excellent". This was a challenge, given the established nature of the site, but the team took a very proactive approach to achieve the available credits through a range of design features, including significant inclusion of various low or zero carbon technologies.