Redefining the student experience for a new era
THE ASPIRATION
A campus designed for the future
The University of Portsmouth embarked on an ambitious redevelopment of its city centre campus, aiming to create a cutting-edge environment that enhances student wellbeing and attracts top talent. The vision was to deliver a masterplan focused on people-centric spaces, sustainability and digital connectivity. Post-pandemic shifts in higher education demanded a fresh approach – one that balanced in-person and remote learning while ensuring students remained engaged in a dynamic campus setting. With a £250 million investment planned over ten years, the university wanted to transform its estate into a cohesive, intelligent and future-proofed space that supports learning, community and innovation.
OUR RESPONSE
Multidisciplinary masterplanning
We provided multidisciplinary expertise to help the University of Portsmouth realise its ambitious vision.
Our Project and Cost Management teams led the development of the masterplan and overall strategy. They shaped a coordinated approach that balanced architectural ambition with day-to-day operational needs, ensuring every investment supported the university’s long-term growth. This included building a robust cost plan, managing risk, aligning inputs across disciplines and rolling out a streamlined engagement model that brought together estates teams, academics and students to enable confident, collaborative decision-making.
Our Architecture consultants led the strategic redesign, creating a more unified campus that fosters connection and belonging. A thorough review of existing facilities uncovered opportunities to enhance student wellbeing by improving flow and cohesion. The resulting vision blended contemporary design with practical functionality — crafting an environment that is both welcoming and adaptable.
Our Health and Safety and Flood Risk specialists were involved from the outset to ensure compliance, resilience and environmental performance were built into the design. Meanwhile, our Lighting team introduced targeted interventions to enhance wellbeing and usability across the estate.
THE RESULT
A cutting-edge, people-focused university estate
The redevelopment will deliver an intuitive, connected campus where students thrive. A key element of the masterplan is the creation of a central ‘spine’ connecting teaching facilities, leading to a new Student Hub near the award-winning Ravelin Sports Centre. Designed to the WELL building standard, this hub consolidates student services, bridging the gap between the library and the student union. The £110 million Faculty of Technology Building integrates five outdated buildings into a single, flexible space, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
By implementing sustainable, adaptable designs, the university will benefit from a future-proofed estate that supports its ambition to become the UK’s top modern university by 2030.
THE LASTING IMPACT
Sustainable, adaptable, student-centric
By putting student wellbeing, sustainability and adaptability at its core, the University of Portsmouth is creating a future-ready environment that will grow and evolve with its students.
Find out more about our multidisciplinary approach.
