The University of Essex is renowned for its building expansions and the famous architectural design of its square and towers inspired by the Tuscan town of San Gimignano. As the University expands demographically, it also focuses on providing the facilities to pursue academic excellence. Former students may remember the opening of the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall in 2006 or more recently the Tony Rich Teaching Centre. Since the beginning of this year, our beautiful campus has undertaken further major building works. The architect Patel Tayor, appointed in 2011, accepted the challenge to extend the Albert Sloman Library and design a whole new building where the reception and other student’s services will be held.
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| How it's looking... |
Students staying over the summer have been able to witness the major development of the campus. Whether the extension of our iconic Library or the construction of the new Student Centre, this year everyone has seen and experienced the making of a “new” University. This new environment will carry on nurturing the talents of our students. When the cranes are gone and the fences brought down, the changes will finally surface and enhance the student’s experience at Essex.
More than just being aesthetically outstanding, the library extension will soon provide students access to a collection of 1.4 million books, a 24/7 postgraduate reading room, and 388 additional study desks. The new Student Centre will gather the important offices such as the University’s visitor reception, the IT helpdesk, Registry and Student Support. Altogether this vibrant building and the library extension will become the heart of the campus for any administrative enquiries as well as a quiet space to study along the lake. I remember how I got lost to find the IT people the first time I came to Essex, now it will be very accessible and easy to find.
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| The design of the new buildings |
Whilst some people may miss the ducks looking for our lunches near the Lakeside Café, don’t worry - they still meander around the other side of the lakes and on the Squares. Students will soon be able to study on the water and enjoy, through the window, the same scenery John Constable painted. The inauguration of this major building work will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the University, a major highlight in the history of our campus, which we are all looking forward to.
The University of Essex has always provided a very warm and relaxed atmosphere for its students. In my first years, I remember studying in various places rather than staying at my desk at home. I spent time writing my essays in the library but also in Top Bar in the late afternoon. More recently, for my master dissertation, I have enjoyed the quietness of the Orangery and the Art History library. For the new students, you will have more choices exemplifying an important factor we do well at Essex: providing the students with the best tools to achieve their potential. Although I will miss the overview of the lake from the library’s top floor, this will only be a nostalgic feeling, which has already been replaced by my excitement for the new students to enjoy this new incredible environment.
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| What the Student Centre will look like |
The fresh design, the Student Centre overlooking the water of the lake, and the large amount of new study spaces, will be available for the students next spring term. I look forward to coming back and seeing all of these improvements finished - which will make me want to study at Essex again. I wish all of the success for those lucky students starting their academic journey in September. I hope that you will enjoy this new atmosphere and make good use of those amazing facilities, which I wish to have experienced myself.
Check out the live images from the webcam...
