Pictured: Part of the new Students Union facilities at
Cardiff University
A Staffordshire leisure contractor has completed a major refit
of Cardiff University's Students Union facilities.
Rugeley-based Kribensis Leisure Contracts carried out the
quarter-million pound refit, which involved transforming the
Students Union snooker and games room into an international lounge,
reflecting the university's multi-cultural population.
The refit included space-age cabin style booths, a presentation
area, meeting rooms and study group booths, with flexible modular
seating.
The focal point of the lounge area is a giant, interactive map
of the world complete with images from students' homelands. This is
combined with LED lighting which is programmed to be in sync with
the movement of the sun, giving a visual indication of the time in
countries around the globe.
High tech features in the refit include Skype pods in which
students can Skype home in private, wireless charge points for
phones and laptops and an interactive touch-screen kitchen table
for presentations.
Design work on the Students Union transformation was carried out
by KLC's sister company, GMP Design, also based in Rugeley. The new
facility was officially opened by Cardiff University
vice-chancellor Dr David Grant.
Lead designer Darren Aspinall said, "This was one of the most
exciting projects we have undertaken in recent years. It is
refreshing to see the University's willingness to invest in a space
that is truly reflective of the needs of the students. As well as
providing a clear brief, they were very open to the numerous
innovative features which we proposed. This facility will help in
strengthening Cardiff University's position as a forward-thinking
institution."
This was not the first University project carried out by the
Kribensis and GMP Design teams. They have also completed the
refurbishment of the Students Union bar at Leicester De Montfort
University, and completely redesigned The Academi, a nightclub for
students at Bangor University. They have also completed the refit
of a student club at the University of Westminster and carried out
work on leisure facilities at Loughborough and Portsmouth
universities.
Kribensis, based on the Towers Business Park in Rugeley, was
established 10 years ago and has become a UK leader in new builds
and refits in the leisure and hospitality industries.