The Nancy Astor Building is a prominent mixed-use development at the University of Plymouth, uniting contrasting programme elements on a single plinth of local Plymouth limestone. Located between the campus spine and the historic Drake’s Place Reservoir, the building acts as both a physical and symbolic bridge, connecting university and city, sports and study, formality and informality.

The building comprises two distinct elements: a sports hall clad in oak with extensive glazing below, and a more formal, solid volume housing academic offices, a public café, and a waterside terrace overlooking the reservoir. These forms are unified by a landscaped base that provides shared access and integrates changing rooms, cycle storage, and plant.

Designed to respond sensitively to its site, the scheme steps with the surrounding topography and frames views to the water. The office building, clad in Portland stone, is entered at ground level and also by stepped routes from the campus. Deep window reveals on the west façade minimise solar gain, while the east façade is generously glazed to admit morning light.

Despite the building’s scale and deep plan, a low-energy environmental strategy was central to its design. Internal chimneys, high-level vents and soffit cooling work with an assisted natural ventilation system, contributing to its BREEAM Very Good rating.

As well as delivering essential new facilities for the University, the Nancy Astor Building enhances the public realm and reclaims a once-overlooked edge of campus, creating a space that is both civic and collegiate.

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