Nottingham Trent University is one of the largest and most popular universities in the UK. Over 28,000 students study across three campuses and it has an outstanding reputation for graduate employability. With such a busy facility, maximising the use of the new buildings was a core element of the design. Working with Evans Vettori Architects and contractor, GF Tomlinson, Style was contracted to deliver flexible room configurations using moveable wall systems that were essentially quick to manoeuvre into place.

In the teaching block, the technologically advanced Moveo Comfortdrive enables lecturers to divide the teaching space, or open it up as required, with the simple push of a button. By incorporating this fully automatic solution, Style has saved valuable teaching time by removing the need for facilities staff to be called in whenever a wall needs opening or closing. Instead, lecturers can just push a button to quickly modify the space, depending on the size requirements of the next classes.

In the pavilion, where an automated system was less of a priority, DORMA Variflex was chosen. This is an excellent partitioning wall system which is ideal for a busy student environment because the panel faces are manufactured separately to the frame. This means they can be changed with ease, and at less cost, if they are damaged or the room design alters.

“This installation at Nottingham Trent University was practical, functional, stylish and essential to how the room space is used on a daily basis,” said Mike Fine, Style’s director for the Midlands.

“With an acoustic rating of 55dB Rw, concurrent lectures can be conducted in privacy either side of a closed wall, and we installed a magnetic whiteboard finish to enable lecturers and students to write on the moveable walls during classes.”