Celebration of the structural completion of the pod
Civic dignitaries, contractors and University representatives were invited to celebrate the structural completion of the stunning centrepiece of Southampton Solent’s new building at an event on Monday 28 September.
Guests – including The Mayor of Southampton – were invited to take a closer look in and around the pod, a futuristic feature which dominates the impressive five-storey atrium of the University’s new ‘Spark’ building, due for completion early next year.
Designed at the London office of Scott Brownrigg, the impressive structure, which weighs approximately 67 tonnes, features a full-sized lecture room with a large video wall and open-topped viewing platform with fantastic views across East Park.
Speaking about the pod, Ian Pratt from Scott Brownrigg said: “When people ask me about the Pod they often ask ‘what is it?’ One response to this question is: It’s an 80 person lecture room with an informal learning area on top. But of course, the Pod is so much more than that…It’s the visually striking centrepiece of the atrium; a powerful guardian welcoming students, staff and visitors to the Spark and aiding way-finding. It’s an international design and engineering triumph.A masterpiece of modern construction and off-site manufacturing techniques.”
Southampton Solent’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baldwin, thanked main contractors Interserve; architects Scott Brownrigg and CIG Architecture for not only their hard work on the build but also the opportunities they are providing for students.
“Throughout the process the build has enhanced the experience for our students by providing student work-placements, on-site learning and guest lectures as part of their courses, so not only is the pod built for our students, but it is with the support of them as well, all adding to their learning journey.”
Intended to reflect the region’s nautical heritage and the University’s strong maritime links, the pod has been manufactured off-site in Netherlands by CIG Architecture: a company with a history in shipbuilding and delivering iconic projects, including the cross-Thames cable car system and the award-winning media centre at Lord’s cricket ground.
Putting the pod together on the University site has been a first for Interserve. “We were delighted to see the enthusiastic response from all the University staff and VIP’s at yesterday’s event. It made all our hard work that much more rewarding,” said Justin Elliott, Divisional Director.
The pod is surrounded by cutting edge teaching and learning facilities including 35 classrooms and five lecture rooms, interactive study spaces, and a city centre conferencing and exhibition space, which will be open for use by Southampton businesses and the wider community in 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8201 3040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 19,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The University was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2014 poll of students. Solent Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter Award, which is supported by the Association of Business Schools and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and ‘gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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