UH Business and Social Hub

Aimed at enhancing the student experience and supporting local businesses, this vibrant hub integrates teaching, social, and entrepreneurial areas into one cohesive facility.

By blending academic and industry-focused spaces, it serves as a dynamic environment where students, staff, and entrepreneurs can come together, exchange ideas, and drive progress.

From the moment you step in, the interior design aims to engage. The building is organised into three distinct levels: lively social zones at ground floor, a business incubator on the first floor, and MBA and teaching studios on the top level. A sculptural central staircase threads through all three, acting as a visual spine and encouraging vertical movement, chance encounter, and spatial permeability.

Public areas on the ground floor — café-style lounges, breakout seating, and open gathering zones — use warm, tactile materials and generous daylight to create a welcoming, energised environment. These social settings flow into more inward, contemplative zones above and are reinforced by adaptable furniture and lighting strategies that support multiple modes of use.

The business incubator level balances collaboration and privacy: shared work tables, meeting pods, transparent partitions, and quiet zones are arranged to promote networking while preserving zones for focused work. On the teaching floor, interiors lean toward clarity: neutral finishes, acoustic measures, and daylight-controlled classrooms create environments conducive to learning and professional development.

Throughout the building, detailing and material choices reinforce cohesion and identity: timber, soft fabrics, and ambient lighting harmonise the functional diversity of the spaces, embedding a sense of place and belonging.

The interior design delivers a place that flexes with purpose. From lectures and networking to informal socialising and startup ideation, the spaces are inherently adaptable. Furniture layouts can shift; partitions can open or close; zones can reconfigure to host events, workshops, or quiet work — making the hub relevant as the university’s needs evolve.

Moreover, the design ensures that academic, social and entrepreneurial functions are interwoven rather than siloed. The shared visual connections and flow between levels foster serendipity and collaboration, making the building a catalyst for cross-disciplinary engagement and community activation.

By bridging campus life with enterprise, the Hub strengthens ties between the university and its broader ecosystem. Students, alumni, staff, and local entrepreneurs all find a place to meet, work, and grow. The social core at the base invites frequent informal interaction, while the incubator and teaching floors host mentorship, business development, and learning.

Beyond its internal impact, the Hub contributes to local vitality by embedding entrepreneurial ventures into the campus fabric, offering a visible interface to the community, and supporting local economic growth through innovation-based collaboration.

We utilised sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems throughout the building, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. The adaptable design supports future growth and flexibility, ensuring the hub can evolve with the university’s needs.

By creating a space that balances sustainability with functionality, the hub stands as a long-term asset that supports the university’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship for years to come.