University of the West of England: Rethinking the Mathematics Student Experience

Transforming campus spaces into dynamic, student-centred environments

Students don’t just want function — they want spaces that inspire. That was the core insight behind our collaboration with the University of the West of England (UWE) to reimagine the physical environment of the Mathematics department.

This was more than an interior design brief. UWE wanted to align learning and social spaces with the evolving expectations of today’s students, while also encouraging greater use of on-campus facilities — both academically and socially.

What We Did

Working in close partnership with the university’s estates and academic teams, we undertook a holistic redesign of the department’s interior environments. Our process included:

• Co-creation workshops with students and faculty

• Design diagnostics on current usage patterns

• Insight-driven spatial planning

• Integration of both quiet, focused areas and collaborative hubs

• Use of colour, lighting and layout to drive engagement and comfort

• Physical branding and signage to reinforce a modern identity

The Outcome

The redesigned space delivered immediate and visible impact:

• Significant increase in student use of the department's communal and informal areas

• Enhanced sense of student belonging and ownership of space

• Increased opportunities for informal collaboration and peer learning

• Positive feedback across wellbeing, focus, and academic engagement

• Reinforced UWE’s commitment to progressive learning environments

“The new spaces feel designed with us in mind. It’s welcoming, modern, and makes you want to stay on campus.”
— UWE Mathematics Undergraduate

Why It Worked

• 🚶 Student-informed layout and usability

• 🎨 Smart use of spatial psychology to drive engagement

• 🏗 Seamless alignment with UWE’s wider campus strategy

• ✅ A flexible, future-ready solution tailored to evolving student needs