Design Centre redevelopment focuses on student experience, social spaces and sustainability  

York St John University has officially launched the redeveloped Design Centre, with students now benefitting from a series of new and refurbished teaching, workshop and social spaces. The project was funded following a successful bid to the Office for Students to support growing demand across creative and technical subjects. 

Students, staff and alumni attended the opening event alongside leading representatives of the creative industries, the Arts Council, York’s Civic Party, industry partners and the project’s architects. The evening of speeches and networking was complemented by building tours and even a screening of a drone fly through of the new centre. View the fly through on YouTube. 

The original Design Centre has been home to York St John’s design programmes for almost 50 years but the increasing demand for computer science and related programmes outstripped existing teaching capacity. Feasibility studies identified the Design Centre as the best location for expansion, allowing for sensitive extension and modernising of the building with enhanced accessibility, sustainability and flexibility. 

The redevelopment includes a full refurbishment of the Design Centre, the construction of a new extension, replacement windows throughout the building and new landscaping. The build was completed by the conversion of existing garages into dedicated Makers Spaces workshops, sitting analogue craft side by side with digital technologies. 

These newly created Makers Spaces provide specialist facilities including 3D printers, workshop benches and hand tools. The former storage garages were transformed through reroofing, new glazing and improved access. The Design Centre was developed by Tate + Co, the architects behind our award-winning Creative Centre, and features the same striking timber cladding. 

The central Atrium has been opened up with new skylights and redeveloped into a  social and study hub to offer informal collaborative space for students, supporting a sense of community and belonging. Students are already making use of the Atrium which is a hub of activity throughout the day, during regular teaching and beyond, fostering connections and collaboration.  

Environmental sustainability was embedded throughout the redevelopment with measures to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and create healthier spaces. The building now benefits from triple glazing, significantly improving thermal performance and reducing energy consumption. Alongside this, air quality improvements including low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and CO₂ monitoring and responsive airflow rates help maintain comfortable and healthy learning environments. 

From the outset the reuse of furniture and fittings and the reduction of waste was prioritised. Items no longer required were either placed into storage, donated to charity or recycled. New materials were selected for their environmental credentials, including sustainable FSC-certified timber and environmentally responsible flooring products. To encourage sustainable travel, the project also introduced new green roof cycle storage facilities alongside lockers for cyclists. 

Accessibility is also a key part of the redevelopment. Level and ramp access were introduced to the ground floor, a new lift has been installed to the first floor, and the Makers Spaces are designed to be fully accessible. Hearing loops are installed across multiple teaching areas.   

External landscaping work has also been completed, helping to create more cohesive outdoor social and breakout areas across campus. A previously paved area has been transformed into landscaped green space featuring wildlife ponds which are fed from rooftop stormwater runoff. 

Professor Helen Julia Minors, Head of School of the Arts, was project sponsor for the redevelopment.  She said: 

“I am thrilled to see our collective vision come to fruition, offering our students bespoke dedicated specialist spaces to be creative, test ideas and prototype products and designs. They can take advantage of the range of workshops and digital makers spaces in a fantastic building that’s inclusive by design and considers environmental and sustainable approaches.  

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the level of positive feedback since the launch event. People were struck by the community collaborative potential and incredible dedicated workshops that enable students and staff to continually create, test and build work.   

“Our old building had heart, with students and staff working to make the most of their potential, now the building has a visible community heart in the atrium. The redevelopment ensures the Design Centre is now equipped to support innovative teaching, creative practice and student collaboration for years to come, while also contributing to the University’s wider sustainability ambitions.” 

Nick Coakley, Director of Estates Management at York St John University said:  

“This has been a truly collaborative project with Estates teams working closely alongside academics, students and staff. Project delivery was shared between external contractors and our internal maintenance team, all contributing to the same high standard throughout.  

“With the redeveloped Design Centre sitting alongside the Creative Centre, it’s fantastic to have such beautiful, sustainable and cohesive designs at the heart of our Lord Mayor’s Walk campus. My thanks to all involved.”  

Further images and information about our Design Centre.