Situated within the University of Essex’s Wivenhoe campus, the brief was to transform a redundant subterranean central boiler house into a state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities and its commitment to sustainability. The main challenge of the project was the tight timeline with only a small window to complete the project in time for the next academic year starting. The scheme introduced a mezzanine floor level, providing 20 new seminar rooms, equipped with wide screen monitors, projectors, document cameras and audio, toilet facilities and ancillary spaces to make the best use of the existing building. The centre uses natural daylight drawn in through the sunken courtyard and structural glass roof lights and floor space was increased with the creation of a new entrance pavilion. Construction of new escape stairs and a platform lift with new door openings, were also incorporated into the design.