Parkside, Birmingham

Parkside, Birmingham
Associated Architects for Birmingham City University
Contract £42.7m. GIA 18,500m²

Facing the city’s new park, this is the first significant building in the urban regeneration of Eastside, bringing the university and students into the city as part of a new city campus. 

It places teaching and creative courses under one roof, a purpose-made facility with central atrium and circulation to encourage cross-over of skills and ideas and showcase the range of disciplines. It is well executed. The prioritising of high-quality materials and detailing to the key circulation areas demonstrates a rational, considered approach to maximising the budget. 

A further collaboration with theatre and lighting design facilities and editing/digital arts helps to create a truly exceptional centre for inspiration to students across a wide range of disciplines. The home to Birmingham’s School of Architecture, it has a stimulating yet informal environment that encourages a studio-based approach offering formal and informal teaching spaces as well as workshops, seminar areas and cafés.