Imaginative and contemporary glass and steel foyer

Robinson Architects has designed the new reception area linking two Grade II Victorian buildings at York St John University

The West Yorkshire Architectural practice Robinson Architects, part of the multi-disciplined Robinson Design Group, has designed the new reception area to give a further dimension to the complex, with the cost for the total contract of GBP1.3M.

The first phase of the project, started in February 2006, included strengthening the existing first floor construction of the Quadrangle Building which was actually suspended from the roof trusses, as well as giving attention to the acoustic separation between certain spaces.

There was also a refurbishment programme for the oak panelled Seminar Room, the Drama Workshop and various other rooms.

The second phase involved dividing a large lecture theatre within the Quadrangle Building to form a theatre performance studio and a smaller refurbished lecture theatre, and was completed in April.

This project, now called C4C, [Centre for Creativity] was officially opened by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion in February this year, and now forms a series of multi-purpose spaces for the performing and creative arts.

Charles Roberts, Senior Architect with Robinson Architects, explained: "A floor had been put into the Chapel in the early 1980s dividing the space horizontally, with the upper room painted black for drama purposes, effectively destroying the character of the building.

An essential part of our scheme therefore was to remove the floor to re-create the ecclesiastical space, and, by means of acoustic panels, sound and lighting equipment, under floor heating and displacement ventilation, create an impressive space which can now be used for drama, music and exhibitions".

The design was a finalist in the recent inaugural Lord Mayor's York Design Awards.

Brian Royce, Head of Estate Development at York St John University said: Robinson Architects worked very closely with the client, project manager and key users to create an attractive scheme that successfully met the criteria and skilfully blended the contemporary and Victoria architecture".

York St John University was established in 1841 as a college to train schoolmasters.

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