Newcastle University - Developments

[NewcastleStu]

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Here's a place for you to place any news or updates about the developments on the Newcastle Uni campus such as the student services or INTO buildings.

If you've got any exclusive news that would be good too.

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[Geordie Ahmed]

Newcastle University Admin Building Photo's

Taken by Newcastle Historian and posted originally on 12/9/2009

[Geordie Ahmed]

Newcastle University Admin Bulding Photo

Originally Posted by myself on 22/9/2009



A few pages back it was suggested the entrance might on the right of the building BUT as we can see it will be on the left hand side

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1100/dsc01167u.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5743/dsc01177q.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/1816/dsc01169az.jpg

[TownPlanningNE]

Just a quick summary of the current developments at Newcastle University.

Kings Gate

Cost: £35m
Architect: Bond Bryan Architects

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/campus/de.../kingsgate.htm

INTO Newcastle

Cost: £50m
Architect: FaulknerBrowns

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/campus/de...jects/into.htm

Medical Sciences Building

Cost: £29.8m
Architect: FaulknerBrowns

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/campus/de...ts/medical.htm

Business School

Cost: Commercial pre-let
Architect: Ian Simpson Architects

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/campus/de...jects/nubs.htm

[TownPlanningNE]

INTO Newcastle:

[Newcastle Historian]

The landscaping around the new Admin Building (Kings Gate) is now well under way, here is a photo of what it was like only a few months ago, and a copy of the PLANS showing the completed layout leading to the Concourse/Northern Stage area.





and this is what the INTO building should look like . . .

[Irish Blood English Heart]

I really like this building. A fantastic bit of noughties infil architecture and a vast improvement on the empty carpark there before. Hopefully the next building down on Percy Street will be of a similar quality.

[bigchrisfgb]

Originally Posted by Irish Blood English Heart

I really like this building. A fantastic bit of noughties infil architecture and a vast improvement on the empty carpark there before. Hopefully the next building down on Percy Street will be of a similar quality.

Yes, maybe we should ask Newcastle University to buy and develope the oxfam site.

[Smash17]

Originally Posted by bigchrisfgb

Yes, maybe we should ask Newcastle University to buy and develope the oxfam site.

I noticed the other day that the Oxfam shop has been given a lick of paint. Still looks terrible, though.

[johnnypd]

AngeroftheNorth said, in the main thread, that someone pretty high up at Newcastle Uni wanted to get rid of the Claremont Buildings on Barras Bridge. This was going to be refurbished as the northern writer's centre but funding for this unfortunately fell through.

image hosted on flickr

[toonlad]

I know from a source at the uni that they would NEVER get rid, they are keen to preserve any historic buildings as so much damage has been done in the past with poor buildings being added to campus etc. The current problem is they dont know what to with these buildings becuase the uni has TOO MUCH space on its hands! Ever since 2007they have been trying to condense the space footprint for cost/environmental reasons so these buildings are standing empty. The only occupant on the whole row is a doctor and dentist (they lease the space from the uni).

[Newcastle Historian]

Originally Posted by toonlad

I know from a source at the uni that they would NEVER get rid, they are keen to preserve any historic buildings as so much damage has been done in the past with poor buildings being added to campus etc. The current problem is they dont know what to with these buildings becuase the uni has TOO MUCH space on its hands! Ever since 2007they have been trying to condense the space footprint for cost/environmental reasons so these buildings are standing empty. The only occupant on the whole row is a doctor and dentist (they lease the space from the uni).

That's my dentist (Kingswalk Dentists) and she has just got new premises in Leazes Park Road, so there will only be the doctor left. Isn't that the 'University Medical Doctor', or something?

I know my dentist has had to put up with YEARS of mess and building works outside. She had the scruffy 'temporary' (for about 30 years!) surface car park in front of the building, then the mess from the Northern Stage re-furb (the back of that overlooks these buildings) then from the University Admin building (Kings Gate) construction. Now, just as the landscaping around that area in front of her building is being done, she's moving!!

Below is a photo of the lanscaping work being done, a few months ago. I think it is nearly finished now.

I think it's great when small areas that have been a MESS for years (detracting from any good impact that neighbouring 'new builds' might have made) suddenly become beautifully landscaped and ADD to the environment. What that achieves (when it is well done, as the University, for example, usually do) is to 'complete' the urban lanscape by joining new and pre-existing older buildings/areas together! Completing the picture, so to speak.

This little area will do just that.

[TownPlanningNE]

Originally Posted by toonlad

The current problem is they dont know what to with these buildings becuase the uni has TOO MUCH space on its hands! Ever since 2007they have been trying to condense the space footprint for cost/environmental reasons so these buildings are standing empty.

If they have too much space on their hands why are they building £200m worth of new buildings? Doesn't really make sense?

[toonlad]

Originally Posted by TownPlanningNE

If they have too much space on their hands why are they building £200m worth of new buildings? Doesn't really make sense?

Because exisiting buildings were a poor use of space, and energy inefficient largely. The biggest offender being Kensington Terrace, which is now replaced with King's Gate (the new one on Barras Bridge). For info, this building is now occupied as of today!

The other buildings going up are the Business School (relocation), INTO Centre (external company) and medical research building (VERY specific type of facility required). But I swear... despite how it looks... they are trying to reduce space requirements

[WilfBurnsFan]

Originally Posted by toonlad

I know from a source at the uni that they would NEVER get rid, they are keen to preserve any historic buildings as so much damage has been done in the past with poor buildings being added to campus etc.

They weren't that keen to preserve the Old Brewery, were they?

[Chatton11]

I always thought it would be cool (and wise) to open an architects' practice on campus....maybe I should enquire!!!!!?!

[AngerOfTheNorth]

I can't imagine they'd ever try to get rid of the building, plus it's listed, but the guy really did like the idea of knocking the place down. He probably has absolutely no say in that side of things (I certainly hope not anyway) but he was alarmingly keen as I say. Don't worry though, I'm sure it was just idle chat.

[Chatton11]

What's happenning with the Kensington Terrace buildings? Presumably the University will stay as Landlord on the buildings, keeping up their little property empire?

[Irish Blood English Heart]

Is the university cutting back on courses? I would've thought with demand at the moment being so high for places they could utilise the extra space with more courses, but I guess it's far more complicated than that in regard to government funding etc.

[toonlad]

Originally Posted by Chatton11

What's happenning with the Kensington Terrace buildings? Presumably the University will stay as Landlord on the buildings, keeping up their little property empire?

Facade retention but the fabric of the buildings will be totally demolished. They are then going to build modern accommodation for students.

Apparently there was little interest from residential developers as they are bordered on 3 sides by the university and the state of the buildings is so poor after 60 years of frequent and makeshift modifications.

I heard the green space at the rear of the building (behind Drummond Building) and also the 'overflow' car park to side of Park Terrace are part of the accommodation plans too.