Annual Review 2009-10
Building our future
New facilities at the Colchester and Southend campuses
are helping to improve the learning and living experiences for Essex students.
At Colchester, the new 2010-11 academic year got under
way with the opening of the innovative £5 million Teaching Centre, transforming
the redundant 1960s central boiler house into 19 modern teaching rooms, equipped
with the latest teaching technology, a theatre rehearsal space and spacious
social area.
The University's commitment to providing
state-of-the-art facilities is also evident in the new internet cafe Zest, with
adjoining IT pods for group working, and the new £1.4 million gym and fitness
suite. The new sports facilities provide more than 130 fitness stations and new
studios for activities such as aerobics, dance and yoga.
The University has an ambitious £200 million-plus
investment programme. Construction has started on the University's major
Knowledge Gateway development at Colchester to provide a new home for social
scientific research and development and business space, with the infrastructure
works due to be completed in Spring 2011. It will be anchored by the flagship
Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution, to be designed by
world-renowned architect and Essex alumnus Daniel Libeskind.
Work will also begin in 2011 on the £10 million
transformation of the historic Wivenhoe House into the UK's first
fully-functioning country house hotel to be run and staffed by students,
supervised by industry professionals. Designed to prepare the future leaders of
the hospitality industry, the Edge Hotel School will open in 2012.
Transforming Southend Campus
At Southend, the £36 million 561-room University Square
development provides
colourful, modern residences with en-suite facilities to enhance the student
experience. The vibrant new accommodation incorporates many green and
sustainable features. Southend Campus has also been enhanced by the
development of the £700,000 Elmer Suite, providing additional professional
teaching and learning space for students.
Architects have been appointed to develop Elmer Square, a £26.9 million
joint venture with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and South Essex College
to provide an integrated academic and community library and modern teaching
facilities.