Connected campus
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Connected campus
Watch our latest video update
Our Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean Curtis, shares a whistle-stop tour of our key achievements to date in 2023.
What is Connected Campus
Led by our Projects and Estates Development Team, Connected Campus is a multi-million-pound investment programme that is transforming campus grounds through six key impact areas (see below) to enable us to achieve Vision 2028: To become the UK’s leading career intensive university with a diverse, equal, and inclusive culture, proud to be environmentally responsible and sustainably fit for the future.
The programme launched in April 2021, and since then, we've created outdoor focal points (Campus Hearts) at all campuses; showcased our enhanced visual identity with clear signage; developed new places; and introduced new learning and teaching spaces to pioneer future careers in a changing world. Watch our first Connected Campus video update to learn more about what was achieved in the first years of the programme.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about the programme, please email the Connected Campus team on: connectedcampus@uel.ac.uk.
2024 Summer Upgrade Plan
Building on the recent success of the National Student Survey, we are embarking on a series of campus improvements, beginning this summer, to enhance the student and staff experience as part of our major investment programme. It is called Connected Campus.
Below is a timeline which outlines the projects set to be delivered this year, with some due to continue into 2025.
Stratford Campus
Stratford redevelopment: laying the groundwork for the new Academic Building
During August, site investigations will take place as we continue to plan and design the new Stratford Health Campus Academic Building including state-of-the-art lecture theatres and teaching spaces.
As the initial works are being carried out, we’ll need to temporarily close some parts of the carpark to make way for the necessary equipment. Accessible parking will still be available, and the covered bike storage will also remain available.
The ground investigations will involve drilling into the ground to gather soil samples which provide our team with critical information about the makeup of the ground below. This will inform the design for the foundation and basement of the new development.
This essential phase ensures the construction solution for the new academic block and student accommodation buildings is optimised, enabling us to make informed decisions that will support an efficient construction process.
The aim is to have the investigation work completed by the end of August and carparking will be available again at this time.
The detailed design for the new Academic Building is being finalised and construction is anticipated to begin in early-2025.
Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub – Phase 2
View a virtual simulation of the new Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub, due to be completed by summer 2025.
The extensive refurbishment of the Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub (H&PCTH) is about to commence with work to prepare the building for construction already underway and planned for delivery by summer 2025.
The refurbishment will result in a cutting-edge training facility featuring:
- A virtual reality room for lifelike medical simulations
- Tech-enhanced active learning and teaching (TEAL) zones
- Real-time medical procedure broadcasting technology
- Expanded teaching areas
- A Rehabilitation Gym
- An Operating Theatre Suite
While access to parts of the H&PCTH Building is restricted during construction across Semester A and B, additional classrooms will be set up in the CC Building. These additional facilities will be ready for use in September, in time for the new semester.
The CC Building will also be the temporary host for the exciting new Anatomage tables delivering cutting-edge health training technology to our students.
This high-tech piece of equipment provides students with a life-size 3D model of the human anatomy which they can view, dissect, and explore. It comes complete with access to over 1500 real-life cases with accompanying medical notes and 2D scan data which they can then render on the table.
Preserving historic structures around University House
University House holds significant historical value to UEL with the building itself and the surrounding railings, plinths, statues and concrete walkways dating back 126 years!
To ensure these important structures remain in their best condition for years to come, we’re carrying out essential restoration work over the summer which will include painting, repairs and cleaning.
We’re working closely with Heritage England to ensure we preserve the historic architecture that makes this space so special.
Docklands Campus
Pump House
A key priority for the Connected Campus programme is to create more welcoming, multi-use spaces where staff and students can relax, unwind and collaborate.
Later this year, the Pump House will be refurbished, making it a more user friendly and pleasant space for staff and students to socialise and study.
The refurbishment will include:
- A new coffee and food prep counter
- Centralised AV system for entertainment including music, live TV and gaming
- Upgraded lighting, beautiful green faux moss ceilings and distressed-style walls
- New sliding glass doors which will open the space up and create more indoor-outdoor flow
- Upgraded toilets, including self-contained gender-neutral facilities and improved accessibility
Construction is expected to begin in September, and we plan to have the space ready to enjoy later this year.
Community Gallery
The Community Gallery will undergo a major transformation to bring more people and events into this currently underutilised space.
As well as a revitalised look and feel with new furniture, booth seating, lighting, flooring and decor, the improved Community Gallery will include a new AV system and DJ booth, additional storage and increased space to be used for day-time social use. The bathrooms will also be converted to self-contained gender-neutral toilets, with a new accessible toilet.
The outdoor area surrounding the Community Gallery and the Faith and Reflection Centre will be restyled with canopy-covered seating areas and added greenery. Situated at the entrance to the Docklands campus, the project aims to create a more welcoming and cohesive space as a visitor’s first point of interaction with UEL.
The use of the student bar within the Community Gallery will remain unchanged but will be enhanced to support a more multi-use social space.
We haven’t yet confirmed the construction programme for this project but expect it will be during mid-2025.
SportsDock
SportsDock will receive some much-needed refurbishments later this year to create a more vibrant environment, attracting greater use and membership from staff, students and the community.
The refurbishments include:
- In the changing rooms, new shower cubicles will replace the current curtains for increased privacy. New hairdryers will also be installed along with refreshed seating and decor across the toilet cubicles, vanity units and lockers.
- The first-floor office space and reception area will benefit from an improved, modern work environment with new furnishings, flooring and decorations as well as pod-style meeting spaces.
The social space next to reception will receive a refreshed layout, new furnishings and flooring
Construction is planned between October and December this year – watch this space!
SportsDock’s Centre Manager, David Cowell, said
East London Sport is very excited to see the upcoming upgrade of the social areas around the SportsDock facility on Docklands Campus. This is a major step towards transforming our building and maintaining a safe and welcoming space for all users, whether you are coming to take part in our many activities, watching our fantastic BUCS matches or just simply to come and chill. We can't wait to see the end result.”
Halls of Residence: swipe card access to replace keys
Before summer next year, students residing at the Halls of Residence will be able to use their UEL swipe card to access their accommodation, replacing the current lock and key method.
This change will improve safety and security within the Halls of Residence and will also eliminate the need to replace lost keys.
The project will involve installing the necessary technology at the entrances to Halls, flats, and rooms, as well as upgrading the University's security software to enable the highest level of security for residents.
We’re currently tendering for a contractor to complete this work and will be able to share a clearer timeline once they’re appointed.
USS (University Square Stratford)
The Arts Venue
Last year we launched a new partnership with London Borough of Newham’s Youth Empowerment Services (YES), becoming the managing operator of the Stratford Youth Zone (The Arts Venue) with the aim of reinvigorating the Cultural Quarter in the heart of Stratford and supporting our School of Arts and Creative Industries. UEL has pledged its commitment to enriching young people with creative opportunities and to refreshing the ageing theatre venue so it can be utilised to its full potential.
Many of the rooms and facilities within the building are currently being transformed and will be set for a grand re-opening during Welcome Week in September.
The improvements, across all three floors of the building, will include:
- A colour refresh on the outside of the building
- A new costume store and laundry room
- Upgrades of both auditoriums including theatre tech and improving health and safety standards
- Upgraded dance studio flooring and décor
- Upgrades to the bathrooms across floors to include gender-neutral and accessible toilets
- Refurbished meeting rooms with new furniture, paint, flooring and tech.
- Addition of a GP surgery on the first floor
Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries, Rosemary Stott, said she is excited to relaunch this incredible community asset:
The Arts Venue is at the heart of our strategy for the future of the School of Arts and Creative Industries. It is a public facing venue for the whole University, a working creative business and focus for our research, student experience, careers focused teaching and learning and knowledge exchange. It houses our ground-breaking partnership with the London Borough of Newham (LBN) and specifically their Youth Empowerment Services' Stratford Youth Zone. The refurbishment work over the summer will make it more functional for our shared ambitions as well as our joint aims of delivering an exciting programme of events and learning for young people in the Stratford Youth Zone as well as UEL students and the wider community."
USS climate control and lighting upgrades
Over the summer break, heating and ventilation systems will undergo maintenance work to improve climate control and make the building warmer during the cold winter months. The building is also next in line to have its lighting converted to LED lighting, reducing energy output.
Cross-Campus Improvements
The Community Gallery will undergo a major transformation to bring more people and events into this currently underutilised space.
As well as a revitalised look and feel with new furniture, booth seating, lighting, flooring and decor, the improved Community Gallery will include a new AV system and DJ booth, additional storage and increased space to be used for day-time social use. The bathrooms will also be converted to self-contained gender-neutral toilets, with a new accessible toilet.
The outdoor area surrounding the Community Gallery and the Faith and Reflection Centre will be restyled with canopy-covered seating areas and added greenery. Situated at the entrance to the Docklands campus, the project aims to create a more welcoming and cohesive space as a visitor’s first point of interaction with UEL.
The use of the student bar within the Community Gallery will remain unchanged but will be enhanced to support a more multi-use social space.
We haven’t yet confirmed the construction programme for this project but expect it will be during mid-2025.
Net Carbon Zero work
Solar Panel installation
Building on our Net Zero 2030 vision and partnership with Siemens, we’re continuing to work to optimise our energy consumption. With works already underway, these will continue throughout the remainder of 2024 and into next year. A bank of solar panels is being installed across the campuses to reduce carbon and save utilities costs. The solar panels will enable UEL to generate our own energy on campus. Installation of all solar panels is planned for completion by October this year.
EV Charging stations
27 EV charging stations will soon be ready to use across the Docklands Campus, with charging capacity to support the equivalent of 1.5 million driving miles. The chargers will be available at a competitive tariff for students, staff and guests. We’re currently putting finishing touches to the bays in preparation for the launch this summer.
USS LED lighting upgrade
In line with UEL’s vision to become Carbon Net Zero by 2030, the USS Building.