SPACE Architects are delighted to announce that we recently received planning permission for the Full Planning & Listed Building Consent applications for the Farrell Centre, for Newcastle University.

The scheme includes a series of gallery and exhibition spaces, education facilities and incubator spaces for start-up businesses, within the existing Grade II Listed Claremont Buildings. The project has been supported by the internationally renowned architect, Sir Terry Farrell, famous for designing the MI6 Headquarters in London, as well as the Centre for Life & Hancock Museum in Newcastle.

Sir Terry led a governmental review of the Architecture & the Built Environment, which was wide reaching and sought to improve the quality of our communities and built environment by exploring the themes of education, design quality, cultural heritage, economy and built environment policy. A key aspect of this was a recommendation that every city has an ‘Urban Room’; a facility for the local and regional community to learn about their past, present and future through an open and welcoming centre which positively engages in this debate.

Working for Newcastle University, Space have worked alongside university stakeholders and end-users. The Space Design Team has included Elliott Architects, who we have worked collaboratively with, whilst the engineering aspects of the project have been overseen by Cundall.

Chris Holmes, Director, Space Architects said: “It’s been a great project to be involved with and the whole team has really embraced the collaborative approach to the design. The centre will provide facilities and a programme of events to enable residents to actively engage and comment on proposed future developments across the city and the wider region whilst also being able to fully appreciate the wonderful heritage & history Newcastle has to offer.”

A number of consultations have taken place during design development, including a formal Planning & Conservation Pre-App. The scheme was also subject to the university’s Design Review Panel, which included a number of university professors and also Sir Terry Farrell.

The proposal looks to bring a prominent vacant building back into use and enhance the surroundings. It is a wonderful opportunity to make this ambitious vision a reality and for the centre itself to embody many of the key themes of the review, as well as creating a project of national significance which we hope will become an exemplar for projects of this type in the future.