Claremont Complex - Newcastle University | Space Architects

View overlooking below floors and walkways inside Newcastle Univerity's Claremont Complex

The Claremont Complex

SPACE were appointed by Newcastle University to completely refurbish the 1960’s Claremont building and significantly improve its energy efficiency and sustainability.

The aim was to provide new teaching and research space for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) Faculty, one of the key buildings that form the heart of the city campus. Working alongside the University, aspirations and engagement with various end-users and stakeholders helped to realise the desired outcome during the design process.

Design Team

David Coundon

School of Geography, Politics and Sociology inside Claremont Complex at Newcastle University

SPACE have reinforced the status of the HaSS Faculty as a whole as well as providing functional clarity and identity for the individual departments within it. The maintenance and longevity of internal and external fabrics have been improved while also improving aesthetics. All defective structures and materials have been repaired or replaced to provide a truly modernised and futureproof building and the thermal performance and air tightness of the building’s external envelope has been given significant upgrades.

As the scheme was carried out on a live and busy University campus, careful programming and coordination were required to ensure that there was minimal disruption to the student and staff experience.

Small seating area featuring Climate Change Emergency display within cafe at Claremont Complex, Newcastle University

SPACE have provided a fully functioning building that is coherent, navigable, welcoming and fit for purpose, whilst ensuring that the building projects the values of the HaSS Faculty.