sbarc | spark, Cardiff University
The world’s first social science research park
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Bringing together commercial tenants with university academics, Cardiff University’s new ‘home of innovation’ offers social collaboration, new ways of working, and space to showcase research results.
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What enables sbarc | spark to be this new hub for interdisciplinary knowledge sharing are new workspaces, recreational spaces, laboratories, exhibition spaces and roof terraces.
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The flow of people is key to achieving this, and our design sought to properly encourage social interaction. It’s why we created the ‘oculus’ – a sculptural staircase that forms the heart of the building.
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Rising through the building, the staircase forms a ‘spiral of collaboration’ with breakout zones on the landings of each level creating a lively activity zone in the centre of each floorplate.
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We wanted to encourage research and industry partnerships between users of the building, which is why the ground floor includes an event space – ‘The Play Box’ – which is fully accessible to visitors. There is also a café with large sharing tables, drawing together commercial tenants and academic researchers alongside the public and the wider university faculty.
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Project details
Project name: sbarc | spark, Cardiff University
Location: Cardiff, Wales
Service: Digital design
Value: £20M – £50M
Scope: Architecture, Interior design
Clients: Cardiff University
Status: Live
Completion date: 2022
Structural & Civil Engineer: CH2M
MEP Engineer: Arup
Project Manager: Gleeds
Planning consultant: DPP
Cost consultant: F&G
Fire Engineer: Arup
Acoustic Engineer: Arup
People tracking: Buro Happold
Photography: Will Scott
Awards
RIBA Wales Awards 2024 Winner
RTPI Awards Wales/Cymru 2024 Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy - Winner