The University of Central Lancashire has selected multi-award winning architecture practice AHR to head up a 13-strong design team for its new student social spaces.

The team has been established to ensure people using and running the spaces can provide input into the project, including Chief Operating Officer Michael Ahern and the new Students’ Union President, Sana Iqbal.

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The new student spaces, which hope to further improve the campus experience for students and encourage people to remain on campus for longer, are expected to be completed by autumn 2017.

Related: How the new Adelphi roundabout works with UCLan’s Masterplan

Regional Director at AHR, Robert Hopkins, said: “The university experience is so much broader than formal learning and UCLan have recognised this in the Social Space project.

“It’s an exciting project to be working on, collaborating so closely with the student body to ensure these spaces deliver exactly what they want, resulting in a campus they will stay on for longer and a better student experience overall.

As part of the £200million masterplan, the project will include an extension of the Foster Building to provide break out activities and informal learning spaces.

Key design features will include glass roofs, an indoor hidden garden and movable furniture enabling students to reconfigure the space to suit their needs.

Michael Ahern, Chief Operating Officer for UCLan, said: “The University is determined that the first delivery from the Masterplan will substantially benefit existing students, which is why the new Student Social Spaces are the first new facilities that will open.”

“It’s great fun to do as the designs are being heavily led by the Students’ Union, their creativity and deep understanding of what students want is invaluable.”

San Iqbal, incoming Students’ Union President, said:

“The Student Affairs Committee welcomes the opportunity to have a lead role in the design development process for the Student Social paces project, led by AHR.

“We’re keen to work in partnership with the University to create a space that will meet the needs of a variety of students and provide a much needed communal area on campus.”

The UCLan Masterplan aims to strengthen and enhance the University as it develops, creating a world-class campus compatible with UCLan’s status as one of the UK’s largest universities.

Delivered over the next ten years, the plan will integrate seamlessly with the rest of the City, benefitting current and future generations of students, staff, visitors, and the wider community.

What do you think about UCLan’s Social Space project? Let us know in the comments below