Our plans for The Sky House, a new home for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities that also unlocks the Grade II-listed Lasdun Wall for refurbishment over the next decade, have been unveiled following approval from the University of East Anglia (UEA). The Sky House is the most significant new build project the UEA have undertaken since the Lasdun buildings and will become home to Arts and Humanities and some Social Sciences schools from 2022. The new building will allow staff and students to move out of the Lasdun Wall and enable the start of the phased refurbishment of the Historic England-listed 1960s block. The Sky House will be located on a site at the end of the Lasdun Wall, across from the Registry, and will act as a new main reception point for the UEA campus. The c. £65 million The Sky House will include: •general purpose teaching and seminar spaces •flexible informal learning spaces •language learning lab •drama studios •rehearsal spaces •screening room •café facilities •faculty and school offices •provision for HUM’s postgrad community •PGCE teaching rooms •a new reception point for the University •learning and teaching hub The development of The Sky House is the key to unlocking the Lasdun Wall’s major refurbishment. The Lasdun Wall, completed in 1970, is listed by Historic England for its special architectural and historic interest but is at the end of its design life. Very significant investment in the Lasdun Wall is now needed to ensure it is safe, secure and fit for the future needs of UEA staff and students. UEA Vice-Chancellor Professor David Richardson said: “Investing in our UEA campus means investing in our people and the spaces they need to work, learn, study and teach both now and in the future. The Sky House will be the new gateway to UEA for visitors and provide collaborative and communal working spaces for our staff and students.”
