Page\ Park have just completed a new home for the Architecture and Built Environment Department at Northumbria University. Located within the Grade II listed Sutherland Building, the project provides much needed studio and teaching space over two levels in a courtyard extension. The new addition transforms the former service courtyard to the rear of the building into a new civic space on the campus. Careful adaptation of the listed building has created new connections between the existing 1887 building by Dunn, Hansom and Dunn and the new studio extension. A new internal atrium becomes the social gathering space between large open plan studios and a space for pin-up and review students’ work. The external stepped terrace provides a break out space from the studios and a new route through the campus. Pockets of planting, a living wall, sedum roof and a rain garden all contribute to improving bio-diversity and a connection to nature on a tight urban site.