Located in a conservation area within the extensive landscaped grounds of Gothic style Listed Heaton Mount and Emm Lane building, the University of Bradford School of Management campus is an oasis in contrast to the main University urban city campus. Over many years piecemeal development had created a fragmented education facility hindering the delivery of the University’s nationally and internationally respected business education. The School identified a need for new accommodation to support its MBA Teaching and Resource Centre on Campus. Following development of a campus masterplan, Farrell & Clark were appointed to design the facility creating a social hub linking new and existing campus buildings. Nestled into a wooded hillside adjacent to an ornate listed former theological college, the new accommodation features horizontal rainscreen larch cladding, whilst dramatic floor to ceiling windows provide views down the Aire valley to one side and creates a contemporary addition viewed from the formal approach road. A difficult site presented many design challenges requiring for example, careful coordination of arboricultural method statements, structure and construction methodology allowing the building to be located close to densely wooded areas of the site. Steep sloping ground and multiple existing building floor levels were addressed by the development of a stepping series of floor plates leading from the original Emm Lane historic main entrance down two levels to a new Heaton Mount link path. Praise has been received for the way the Development links different parts of the campus and creates a more accessible series of buildings and external spaces. A cantilevered concrete stair sits below a glass atrium roof enclosing a split level space formed by the new accommodation building, a Grade II listed building converted to house the Business and Law Library and existing teaching accommodation. The atrium creates both a social hub for the School of Management and the opportunity to blur the boundaries between formal learning and social uses. The Resource Centre and atrium create zoned uses encouraging group study and interaction whilst also creating opportunities for individual and quiet study. Deep within the building, an imposing circular room forms a Harvard style debating chamber to be a focal point of the School’s MBA course. Modification to the Grade II listed buildings provide the perfect environment for a Law Library with linked new mezzanine levels creating more informal learning areas. The impressive original stone entrance stair has been enhanced with a new encaustic geometric clay entrance floor providing a fitting visitor ‘first experience’ before being lead through to the new top lit atrium hub. Value 8m.