The FINANCIAL — Work has started on a new purpose-built Students’ Union building at Aston University.
The £6.5 million project will see a modern new build at the heart of campus and will replace the current 1960s Students’ Union building.
The two-storey steel framed building will have striking full height glazing. Inside it will feature a range of facilities including a café, bar and restaurant, shop, social spaces, prayer room and washing facilities, games area, media room, multi-exhibition and rehearsal space and office space for the union’s student officer team and services, according to Aston University.
Sustainability is a key factor of the new building which will include district heating, use of sustainable timbers, photovoltaic panels and a strict recycling policy – the building will also achieve an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate.
Work has started on site and it is due for completion in February 2019, with the facility due to open in Spring 2019.
Reema Quessou, SU President 2017/18, said: “This new building will give Aston students the SU they deserve. There will be amazing spaces for students to relax and recharge, plus we’ll have fresh new facilities to transform ambition into reality. We’re so excited, and can’t wait until it opens in 2019.”
Simon Blackburn, Managing Director of Clegg Construction who are the principal contractor, said: “We’re delighted to once again be appointed by Aston University having recently completed the new labs for the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies.
“This will provide a fantastic new venue for the Students’ Union.
“As a company we have achieved a lot of success in the Higher Education sector over a number of years and really established ourselves as a market leader in this field.”
