The Abercrombie Building at Oxford Brookes University

Winchester-based practice Design Engine won the contract for the development of a new entrance building at Brookes against steep competition. The company proposed that rather than building a new building here and a new building thereto devise a radical master plan, get demolishing, and go back to first principles. The original campus at Brookes was designed in 1955 by city architect EG Chandler. The original plans defined generous courtyards, but additions over the years have obscured this clarity and reduced the open space available.

Design Engine’s vision returns to the 1950s plan and re-energises it with new buildings and a new circulation sequence. Their plan slides new buildings alongside the old, interlocking them together. By increasing the density of the built forms, it is possible to provide generous public spaces; either new spaces, as with the entrance piazza, or reconfigured spaces, as with the central courtyard.

Key to the design is the new John Henry Brookes Building which will serve as the new main entrance to the campus. The building will contain a modern library, a 300-seat floating lecture theatre and a learning space dubbed the ‘Forum’. The open space will include informal ‘touch down’ areas for the laptop working and group discussion that now form a key part of modern universities’ facilities. It will also become the new home of Student Services and Oxford Brookes Students’ Union.

Richard Rose Casemore, a Partner at Design Engine, is also a design tutor in the School of Architecture.

For more information on studying Architecture at Oxford Brookes University, visit the School of Architecture website.

The Retrofit for the Future programme was designed to address the challenge laid down by the UK Government’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. It was co-ordinated by the Technology Strategy Board with the endorsement of the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The programme challenged project teams to retrofit a local property with the ambition of achieving an 80% reduction in the in-use CO2 emissions of each property. Over 100 homes were involved in this project. Project teams were encouraged to innovate, and to demonstrate creativity and flexibility in the approaches they took. The process also demanded that different disciplines across the industry worked in close partnership to deliver integrated solutions. Findings from this refurbishment project will help drive Government decisions on ways to make large-scale carbon reductions with improvements to the entire existing housing stock across the UK.

Oxford Brookes’ Low Carbon Building group, led by Dr Rajat Gupta, tested their energy-saving design on a Victorian, solid-brick-walled, slate-roofed, two-bedroom terrace. The project team undertook several pre-retrofit surveys identifying issues such as cold, dark spaces that were difficult to maintain at comfortable temperature levels, rising damp, condensation and movement cracks within the property. Using a so-called ‘fabric-first’ approach, a number of energy-saving measures have been installed at the Nelson Street property including: advanced levels of insulation to reduce heat loss, advanced airtightness membranes and tapes to reduce air leakages and draughts, triple glazing, a highly efficient gas fired boiler for central heating with integrated controls, a monodraught suncatcher allowing natural light and ventilation into the centre of the house and low energy lighting and appliances, combined with a solar hot water system heating the water and a solar photovoltaic system generating electricity.

The couple living in the Victorian terraced, test-case home in Oxford have seen their energy consumption cut by 85% and should see bills drop from £600 a year to about £150. There was also a 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Of the 37 properties analysed Oxford Brookes’ test-case was only one of three which achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to over 80% compared with 1990 average levels.

The occupants commented, “The house is much warmer now after the refurbishment and we are enjoying all the benefits of the work that has been carried out”.

For more information about Oxford Brookes’ involvement in this project visit the Project Website.

For more information about the Low Carbon Building Group  of the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development at Oxford Brookes University click here

The database contains details of the women who have so far received training via BBC Academy Expert Women Days, a series of free events designed to address the lack of on-air female representation in certain subject areas.

Harriet commented, “The architecture profession is an area where women are significantly under represented, since only 15% of registered UK Architects are female. It is essential that the representation level of women within our profession should mirror that of the world we are designing for, if we are determined to insist that we serve the interests of all members of our society.”

The BBC Expert Women YouTube channel features videos of successful Expert Women trainees presenting to camera on one of their specialist subjects. Originally filmed as audition tapes for one of the events, the short clips have now been compiled into an easily accessible database of female experts that is sorted into their broad subject areas.

For more information visit the BBC Website and BBC Expert Women YouTube Channel.

Click here for more information about the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes University

Click here for more information about Oxford Brookes University

The celebratory afternoon commenced with a site tour of the newly named ‘John Henry Brookes Building’ led by Ben Catley Richardson. Alumni and students had a glimpse of the huge transformation that is currently taking place at the Gipsy Lane Campus at Oxford Brookes. This 80 million pound project will bring together the library and teachings spaces and many more social areas such as the Students’ Union, as well as essential support services. Alumnus Nino Manci emphasised how interesting it was to see how the site had changed since he studied here in 2009. Naturally, Nino said he could not help relating what they were being shown to the subject matter he was taught during his MSc.

After hard hats were taken off and site boots removed, Ian Russell the Project Director of the constructors Laing O’Rourke, gave a short presentation outlining the different phases of the construction. Ian explained to guests about the aims of the new build to achieve BREEAM excellence rating, an environment assessment method which sets the standard for best practise in sustainable building design.

After the presentation, Yannis Roussos the Capital Projects Director and architect for the new building hosted a question and answer session in the recently completed Abercrombie extension. In the Atrium, guests got the opportunity to ask questions about his role as the client’s representative. Students stated that it was useful to learn about how both Yannis and Ian interact (whilst using varying approaches) to make projects like this a success.

Alumnus Simon D Petty ’11 commented what a great opportunity the event was, “to explore the new facilities at Oxford Brookes and network with other MSc PMBE students and alumni on the fifth anniversary of the course”. After speaking to Yannis, staff from the department joined guests for a drinks reception in the Atrium which marked the close of the afternoon.

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

Winchester-based practice Design Engine won the contract for the development of a new entrance building at Oxford Brookes against steep competition. The company proposed that rather than building a new building here and a new building thereto devise a radical master plan, get demolishing, and go back to first principles. The original campus at Oxford Brookes was designed in 1955 by city architect EG Chandler. The original plans defined generous courtyards, but additions over the years have obscured this clarity and reduced the open space available.

Design Engine’s vision returns to the 1950s plan and re-energises it with new buildings and a new circulation sequence. Their plan slides new buildings alongside the old, interlocking them together. By increasing the density of the built forms, it is possible to provide generous public spaces; either new spaces, as with the entrance piazza, or reconfigured spaces, as with the central courtyard.

Key to the design is the new John Henry Brookes Building which will serve as the new main entrance to the campus. The building will contain a modern library, a 300-seat floating lecture theatre and a learning space dubbed the ‘Forum’. The open space will include informal ‘touch down’ areas for the laptop working and group discussion that now form a key part of modern universities’ facilities. It will also become the new home of Student Services and Oxford Brookes Students’ Union.

Richard Rose Casemore, a Partner at Design Engine, is also a design tutor in the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes University.

Click here to find out more about the School of Architecture at Oxford Brookes University

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

In order to give students the opportunity to find out more, Oxford Brookes students were invited to visit the plant on 29 January 2013. The visit began with an introduction to BMW including information about how the company was established, how it has grown and its future plans, including celebrating the centenary of car manufacturing in Oxford and the launch of the new Mini later this year.

Students were able to visit a ‘market place’ where current placement students at the site were available to answer questions. This opportunity allowed students to identify which projects they would be interested in working on. Additionally, students were able attend presentations on areas such as ‘Energy Reduction’, ‘ Automated IT Solutions’, ‘Vehicle Ergonomics’, ‘HR’ and ‘IT’.

Gareth Neighbour, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Oxford Brookes University, commented, “Placement schemes, such as the one we have with BMW Mini Oxford, enhance the student experience and employability for our students. Placements should be seen as an integral part of students’ education and training on the path to professional registration. It is fantastic to work with employers like BMW, who really appreciate the value of these schemes to students, the community and their own organisations”.

Click here to find out more about the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

The panel highlighted many distinctive features which they commended, including; the extension of the apprenticeship approach from undergraduate teaching into postgraduate, and the introduction and development of a research paper as part of the dissertation assessment. They also applauded the strong evidence of industry links highlighted in the development of programmes, and the on-going curriculum management. As well as the use of of industry standard tools, and live projects, often set by industry, to motivate learning and help students apply theory to real world problems. Similarly, the addition of the new MSc Computer Vision programme has been praised as ‘cutting edge’ and responsive to industry trends and needs informed by our own internally renowned vision group.

Faye Mitchell, programme lead for postgraduate Computing and Communication Technologies at Oxford Brookes University, commented, “The guiding principle behind these programmes is to enable students to enhance an industrially relevant combination of technical, vocational and academic skills obtained at undergraduate level that will underpin the lifelong learning needed for a successful career in these dynamic and fast moving subjects”.

The department is now also supporting the needs of non-traditional learners and people wishing to undertake continuing professional development by enabling them to take a PG Cert (60 credits / 3 modules) or PG Dip (120 CATS / 6 modules).

The MSc programmes now offered by Oxford Brookes are:

• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Computer Science
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Software Engineering
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in eBusiness
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Computing
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Mobile and High Speed Telecommunication Networks
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Mobile and Wireless Communication Systems
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Digital Media Production
• MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Computer Vision

For further information, and details on how to apply please contact:
Website: cct.brookes.ac.uk/postgraduate
Email: cct-enquiry@brookes.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1865 485706

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has announced the winners in its prestigious Annual Student Award.

The 2012 judge, Terry Levinthal, of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), awarded the winning prize to a student from Oxford Brookes University.

The winner of the 2012 IHBC Gus Astley Student Award is architect Aimee Felton. She submitted her work on listed building maintenance in non-heritage bodies to the Masters course on International Architectural Regeneration and Development at Oxford Brookes University. Aimee, who is currently working at Julian Harrap’s leading architectural conservation practice, will receive a £300 cash prize and a free place at the IHBC’s 2013 Annual School.

Judge Terry Levinthal said of Aimee’s winning essay: ‘Her submission reflects the great paradox that the conservation profession is facing in a recessionary environment, as the downward pressure on resources of all kinds brings a paradigm shift in our approach to conservation. Ironically, as the paper points out, the maintenance regime takes us back to the era of William Morris and the foundation of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).’

Aimee Felton, author of ‘Securing a Future: Non-Heritage Organisations’ approach to listed building maintenance’, submitted her work to Oxford Brookes University.

Jonathan Bassindale, tutor at Oxford Brookes for the winning essay, said: ‘Aimee’s writing is of a very high standard: fluent, articulate and accurate. This was an excellent study which makes a valid contribution to research is this area.’

Aimee Felton said: ‘It has taken the past two years of working at Julian Harrap Architects since writing my thesis to fully appreciate, disseminate and put into practice some of the complexities I stumbled upon whilst researching the maintenance of historic buildings, which even still remains an area much in need of further research. I now view the document as an enrichable theory, prime for development and I enjoy the opportunity to review this with reference to the projects I undertake in the practice.

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

Click here to find out more about the International Architectural Regeneration and Development at Oxford Brookes University

The festival has firmly establishing itself as one of Oxford’s cultural highlights and focused on youth rights for its 11th year.

Ten feature films and documentaries were screened across four days at Oxford’s Old Fire Station and the Ultimate Picture Palace. A guest speaker was in attendance following each screening for question and answers and to engage audiences in challenging and engaging discussions.

The Human Rights Film Festival, which is free and open to all, is organised each year by students at Oxford Brookes who are studying for a Master’s Degree in Development and Emergency Practice (DEP) and for the first time students from the undergraduate Film Studies programme. The festival aims to raise awareness about a range of human rights concerns.

Oxford Brookes’ DEP course attracts students from all over the world. Many have experience of living and working in countries that have witnessed war, disaster and poverty or are planning a career in this field.

Thom Banks, a current DEP student who has been involved in organising this year’s festival, said: “The film festival is a great opportunity for people to engage with the key issues of Human Rights through an exciting and accessible medium. The range of knowledgeable and informed speakers the festival attracts is always a highlight too.”

Highlights of this year’s festival included a live acoustic performance from award winning Urban Soul and Hip-Hop artist Sister Fa, following the screening of the documentary Sarabah.

Other films included the powerful Oscar-nominated War Witch and a selection of films focused on sport, including Africa United which follows three Rwandan kids who walk 3000 miles to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

For full details visit the festival’s dedicated website www.oxfordhumanrightsfestival.org, where a trailer for this year’s festival can also be viewed.

Click here to find out more about the Development and Emergency Practice course at Oxford Brookes University

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

The coin commemorates the 150th anniversary of the London Underground and depicts the familiar image of a Tube train emerging from a tunnel. The outer ring of the coin is used graphically to suggest the tunnel walls. The coin’s edge bears an inscription representing an Underground line with a number of stations. The coin features the iconic London Underground New Johnston font. The train referenced is the 1967 Victoria line train, chosen for it’s aesthetic simplicity and its wide recognition.

A limited number of the coins are now in circulation, with more to follow later in the year.

Jay Osgerby was born 1969 in Oxford and completed a foundation art programme at Oxford Brookes University and studied product design at Ravensbourne College in London.

To find out more about the Royal mint coin and to see some of the design drawings visit Jay’s website.

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University.

The prize is based on exceptional performance in their respective degree. The winning student this year was:

• Jo Al-Hillawi – MSc Real Estate Management (MSc REM)

Jo won the prize for the highest overall performance on the MSc Real Estate Management degree in Semester I. He is expected to graduate with a distinction in September 2013 and he has already secured employment with Knight Frank in London.

Jo received a certificate at the ceremony at the RICS in Parliament Square in London on Wednesday 6th March. After the presentations there was a reception where the winning students from all the universities in the south met with RICS members and university colleagues. Professor Nick French represented Oxford Brookes University at the event.

The award was presented by Bill Gater, RICS Honorary Treasurer.

Click here to find out more about The Department of Real Estate and Construction

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

Richard has been on the board of the St George’s Society of New York, a charitable organisation and networking group, since 2009 and is now the Vice President. The mission of the charity is to assist disadvantaged people of British and Commonwealth heritage living in the New York area. Richard is also the co-creator and ambassador of George, St George’s Society’s sub brand. George hosts events and networking opportunities for its dynamic professional supporters, whilst raising much needed funds for St George’s Society of New York. Their biggest fundraiser is the English themed event titled ‘The Bash’ which features live entertainment, dinner, dancing and a British themed auction. BBC America, Ted Baker and Thomas Pink have all partnered with George to host some of their other top quality events. It is the success of George that has captured people’s attention for Richard’s award. Commenting on his award Richard states “I feel incredibly proud to have received the MBE and am excited about the trip to the palace”.

In 2008, Richard also founded Captain’s Knock, a business networking organisation with a charitable focus. The name ‘Captain’s Knock’ originates from the cricketing term meaning when the team captain leads by example, a process which Richard strives to action. He has always supported the notion “if you’re out there doing positive things which benefit the community this will be sure to reflect positively on your business life too”. Captain’s Knock events bring together leaders from business and sport to network, celebrate and raise money for worthwhile causes; their ‘Legends’ events frequently raise up to $100,000 a night.

When asked for how his time at Oxford Brookes has helped him get to his position today Richard states, “Oxford Brookes was the foundation for everything I’ve achieved, especially my career. Initially I felt like I had no direction, and Real Estate provided me with diversity, possibility, and options to progress in various areas”. He was awarded sports person of the year at what was Oxford Polytechnic in 1992 for playing in the British Polytechnic rugby team and running the 400 meter hurdles, and it is these sporting achievements during his time at Oxford Brookes that influenced his sports themed fundraising events he hosts now.

Speaking about his alumni network Richard commented, “Networking is incredibly important in business; it helps for career advancement, recruitment and sales. So I make every effort to keep in touch with my alumni and LinkedIn is a useful tool for this”.

Click here to find out more about the Department of Real Estate at Oxford Brookes University

Click here to find out more about Oxford Brookes University

The main focus of his visit was to look at the role of modern universities in supporting business and growth. While visiting Oxford Brookes University he was able to see how the university’s Department for Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences works closely with local automotive and motorsport firms both by supplying the workforce of the future, and through research into new, often low carbon technologies. He was particularly interested in exploring what can be done to encourage more young people to study engineering at a higher level.

During his visit, Vince Cable commented “Maintaining a good supply of engineers is vital to our economy. We start from a serious shortfall. Today at Oxford Brookes I’ve seen how the institution is training students to an excellent standard and linking up with business to ensure they have the right skills and expertise. This will help meet the deficit in engineers, making the UK better able to compete in manufacturing especially”.

Vince Cable was given a tour of the Engineering facilities, and of the specialist equipment such as the four post rig. Despite time pressures he was able to interact with all aspects on display in the in the Auto Lab and Engines Lab. He was also informed of Oxford Brookes University’s contribution to the sustainability agenda through engines work, the bamboo bike, and YASA motors, and of their continuing contract work with Siemens.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills also met students from Oxford Brookes Racing and learnt how they won ‘Best UK Team’ at last year’s Formula Student competition at Silverstone, beating fifty other UK universities and coming seventh overall. He was very impressed with Oxford Brookes Racing, and the work the team does in leading our graduates into the Formula 1 industry.

Gareth Neighbour, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, said:
“I want to thank everyone for their contribution. I believe the visit was hugely successful with the Minister leaving our department with a very good impression and having enjoyed the visit. Everyone should be very proud of the work that we do.”

Learn more about the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Oxford Brookes University.

The study analysed data from the past four decades to reveal that children have lost much of their unsupervised freedom in their local neighbourhood. Now only 25% of primary school children in England are allowed to travel home from school alone, compared to a substantial 87% in 1971. As well as travel to and from school, these statistics also apply to their leisure and recreational activities.

As well as revealing that primary school children have less mobility freedom now than they did forty years ago, the study found that they also experience less freedom than their German counterparts. This cross-cultural analysis was critical in showing that this loss of independence is not an inevitable part of modern life.

It has been theorised that this stark cross-cultural difference is due to the contrast in car culture and city planning. Many German cities have efficient public transport and safe, popular walking and cycling routes, along with the generous, well managed green spaces. These green, open spaces are laid out that almost all homes on the street look out onto them, contributing to a feeling of public safety; thus ultimately allowing greater freedom for children.

Tim Jones is now conducting a follow-on study, together with other researchers, of children’s independent mobility in a further sixteen countries around the world, which has been funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The results will be published towards the end of the year.

More information at the Policy Studies Institute website.

More information about the Planning at Oxford Brookes University

Some of the UK’s leading engineers, architects, contractors and property professionals have helped make the vision of the greenest games ever a reality. In order to achieve this goal, the designers needed clear environmental standards and guidance, and the work of David Shiers, Reader in Sustainable Property, Architect and Researcher in the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development at Oxford Brookes, has been an important part of this success story.

David and his co-authors came up with the concept for The Green Guide to Specification in 1994, after being asked by the then Government to develop a new way of improving the environmental performance of their buildings. It was its publication in 1996 which helped to make the UK a pioneer in sustainable construction.

Even with a ‘soft’ launch the industry reaction was immediate. “It was what property people had been waiting for,” explains David. “The industry finally had a robust rating system based on quantitative data which was easy to understand.” Since its publication it has been taken up by the BRE as part of both the BREEAM environmental rating system for buildings and later, The Code for Sustainable Homes environmental programmes.

David views the guide as another important step on the road to a more environmentally responsible property sector and a greener economy. “The move to a greener way of doing business has for me, always been inevitable. There’s a reduced risk of environmental harm, it’s less wasteful and often utilises fewer valuable resources so there’s an increasingly strong business case for going green.”

In the end, the London Olympics delivered about £7 billion of major construction works, which was one of the largest in the world. Six new permanent sports venues, the 80,000 capacity Olympic Stadium, the Velodrome, Aquatics Centre, Handball Arena, Basketball Arena and Water Polo Arena, have been built on what was once a derelict and polluted site in East London.

David is thrilled The Green Guide has informed decision-making on such an ambitious project “It’s wonderful, really. Architects go into the profession wanting to make a positive difference – it’s what motivates them to take on the tough challenges of providing high-quality buildings and infrastructure projects and to better manage the environment. I’m very lucky to be a part of something like this.”

More information about David Shiers

More information about the Green Guide to Specification

More information about the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development at Oxford Brookes

MSc Real Estate Management
Of the 27 students who graduated in 2012, 25 of them now have real estate or real estate related employment in the UK or overseas. What happened to the other two? One went back to architecture and the other set up his own business (a tennis school, I believe).

MSc International Real Estate
There were 6 graduates from this programme in 2012 and four of them are working in real estate either overseas or in the UK. The remaining two are taking time out to do some travelling before entering the world of work.

The major real estate consultancies are employing our graduates. The destinations of the 2012 graduates include: Jones Lang Lasalle, DTZ, Savills, Gerald Eve, GVA, Deloitte Drivers Jonas, Cushman & Wakefield  and Montagu Evans.