University of Surrey Students Union

Guildford

University of Surrey

Concept

Reconfiguration of existing building with interventions to improve access and aesthetics.

Union House sits on a sloping site in the south-eastern corner of the University’s Stag Hill Campus in the heart of Guildford, Surrey.

The Union is flanked by student residences and academic buildings to its North, South and West elevations but has unobstructed views down the hill to the main part of Guildford to the East. It is easily accessed by staff, students and the public from Guildford town centre and mainline train station, a short walk away.

The University identified the need to upgrade the existing building with improvements targeted at internal redesign, accessibility for all, services and fabric efficiency and kerb appeal. The constant change of needs over the decades has seen the current structure become an ugly and disorganised looking building due to the multitude of adhoc services additions and usage alterations.

Through consultation with key user groups and the University, alongside interrogation of existing information the strategic brief and concept design was developed to improve the identity and usage efficiencies of Union House.