Transforming underused campus space into vibrant student environments

Client: University of Lancashire

Conlon Construction delivered two new social hubs at the University of Lancashire’s Preston campus, creating flexible, modern environments designed to enhance student wellbeing, collaboration and campus life.

The project transformed previously underutilised areas into welcoming destinations where students and staff can meet, study, socialise and connect outside of formal teaching spaces.

The Challenge

The University sought to maximise existing campus space by creating high-quality social environments that would support both learning and wellbeing.

The project required the sensitive integration of new facilities within a busy, operational campus, while creating spaces capable of serving a wide range of users and activities throughout the day.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered two distinct social spaces at the heart of the campus:

• Extension of the Foster Building to create a new student social hub
• Breakout and collaborative learning areas
• Informal meeting and relaxation spaces
• Creation of a second social environment between the Harrington and Greenbank Buildings
• Glazed roof structures to maximise natural daylight
• An indoor garden feature to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere
• Flexible furniture layouts allowing spaces to be adapted for different uses and events

The design focused on creating bright, inclusive and adaptable environments that encourage interaction and support modern campus life.

The Outcome

The completed facilities have created valuable new destinations within the University campus, providing students and staff with flexible spaces that support collaboration, wellbeing and social interaction.

By transforming previously overlooked areas into vibrant community hubs, the project has enhanced the overall campus experience and helped create a more connected, engaging and welcoming university environment.

The new social hubs are outstanding facilities of which we can all be proud, providing integrated spaces where staff and students from different disciplines can mix and meet. It’s exciting to have completed the first phase of our five-year Masterplan, which will serve the needs and ambitions of our University, City and region for many decades to come.