Southampton Solent University has awarded Interserve a £21.5 million contract to design and build a new teaching development.

Interserve will construct a new seven storey building with an internal floor space of 9,250 square metres connected to one of the University’s existing buildings, alter a vehicular access route lying to the north east of the new building and create extra car parking space.

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The new building, designed by Scott Brownrigg, will feature an 18m x 80m main atrium, within which a pod-like structure will be suspended, with a number of bridges linking the pod to the new and existing building.

Beneath the pod, a lower atrium will lead to subterranean lecture theatres as well as lower level classrooms, kitchens, offices and a plant room.

The new building will also feature a main conference centre, a number of smaller conference rooms and numerous classrooms.

The project is due to be complete by December 2015.

(CD)