Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) new Design and Digital Arts building has now completed, with the design delivery work led by CPMG Architects from its headquarters just streets away from the landmark development.
CPMG Architects
Following its appointment in December 2021, the CPMG team has worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland to deliver the scheme from a concept design by Hawkins\Brown. Having been brought in to deliver the scheme, CPMG collaborated closely with NTU and project partners to complete the design and make any necessary adaptations. This included redesigning the interior spaces, with fit-out taking place over the summer months to support effective design and arts learning, while ensuring the university’s focus on digital arts was consistently amplified throughout.
The Design and Digital Arts building will support NTU with the development of new courses offered by the Nottingham School of Art & Design – creating a hub for film, television, animation, UX design, games design, graphic design and more.
Alex Walker, Project Lead and Associate at CPMG, says: “The Design and Digital Arts building builds on our reputation for delivering high-quality design projects with our contractor partners. Collaborating with a local design team to deliver an important project in our home city has been a richly rewarding experience – especially as it creates a hub of creativity for the digital leaders of the future to develop their skills.
“Following the completion of the project, it’s excellent to see the building open and offering a new collection of courses for Nottingham Trent University’s students, adding significant value to the creative industries in Nottingham. We hope the building will support NTU’s vision for developing the digital arts and help graduates prepare for success in professional, technical and commercial careers.”
The 12-storey building will provide students with cutting-edge technology and equipment, including editing suites, a performance capture studio and virtual production facilities, with creative spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration, social learning and exhibition.
Bowmer + Kirkland Regional Construction Director, Christian Parnell, adds: “We are delighted to have continued our long relationship with Nottingham Trent University and CPMG with the construction of the Design and Digital Arts Building. It was also satisfying to work with many other Midlands-based companies to deliver this stunning space in the heart of Nottingham.”
Michael Marsden, Executive Dean of the Nottingham School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University, says: “This new building pushes the boundaries, not only through the architecture and technologies used to create it, but through the courses on offer, the opportunity for collaboration and the graduates it will produce.
“It will enable NTU to become a global leader in digital arts and filmmaking education, creating a rich talent pool of young creatives who will graduate with sector-leading expertise and hands-on industry experience, and help position us, and the city as a whole, as the most innovative hotbed for digital art and design talent in the UK.”
The project team also included MEP contractor Derry Building Services, structural and fire engineer ARUP, planning consultant P&DG, landscape engineer Influence, acoustic engineer Environoise, BREEAM assessor Encon Associates, facade contractor KeyClad, cladding supplier Taylor Maxwell, concrete frame contractor Northfield Construction and glazing contractor Vitrine.
