Department of Psychology, University of Warwick

The retrofit of Riley Court within the University of Warwick campus marks a significant milestone in the broader development of the campus, while simultaneously supporting the continued growth and success of the Department of Psychology.

This transformative project will enhance the university’s infrastructure by providing state-of-the-art teaching spaces, collaborative areas, and the opportunity to showcase key lab spaces to the public.

Our design prioritises working within the constraints of the existing structure while enhancing its appeal through the creation of high-quality teaching spaces that will attract prospective students. Key features of the design include breakout spaces, advanced lab facilities tailored to specialised departments, and the addition of a green link connecting to the south entrance.

This link will seamlessly integrate Riley Court into the wider campus, promoting a sense of cohesion and connectivity throughout the area.

During the initial concept stages, Bond Bryan developed a series of strategic concept drivers to inform and guide the design and project development. These principles ensured that the project not only succeeded in delivering a modern building for the department but also fully integrated the new structure into the broader masterplan and immediate context of the University of Warwick.

Located on Academic Loop Road, a vital thoroughfare through the campus, Riley Court plays a key role in enhancing and expanding the university’s existing green spaces, further solidifying its connection to the natural environment.

From the earliest design stages, we identified several approaches that would strengthen the building’s sustainability credentials and maximise its retrofit potential. Our strategy is built around four key themes: fabric first, passive design, re-use, and Design for Deconstruction.

These principles target specific areas of the building, and when successfully combined, they will result in a more energy-efficient structure with lower operational costs, ultimately becoming a valuable asset for the University of Warwick.