The Third Space, UoP

Together with the University Project Office, Design ACB was commissioned by the University of Portsmouth to refurbish the existing Student Union building.

Successfully rolled out within budget and a very tight time-frame, the ‘Third Space’ project transformed over half the building’s top floor into a bright, airy and contemporary space which combines areas to study, eat and relax.

Beneath an impressive sea of suspended acoustic sails the space is divided into three functional zones. Students can shut themselves away inside inflatable study pods or watch giant wall-mounted television screens while relaxing in the bright pink sofas and ergo chairs. The differing furniture combines with peaks and troughs in the sails to define the areas of use, and by avoiding the installation of physical partitions the overall space retains an open, flexible and free-flowing nature.

To support the functions within the Third Space, an adjacent new multimedia suite has been provided. This space houses the UPSU Media team, Sport and Societies offices, training spaces, Radio Production and broadcast areas.

The project was designed in conjunction with the University Project Office, and completed in March 2010.