Digital Media Building, University of West England

UWE’s masterplan for the Bower Ashton Campus redevelopment seeks to provide a modern, fit for purpose, digitally connected environment that will attract and retain students and enable the UWE to retain its position as a sector leader.

Our new Digital Media Building is a striking new building that reflects closely the aspirations and needs of the university while also carefully considering its semi-rural environment.

The building occupies a prominent position at the front of the campus facing the grounds of Ashton Court. The building includes a specialist film production studio, photographic studios, workshops, animation suites, sound recording and colour grading spaces, as well as a series of edit suites and staff spaces.

A student hub space is located at first floor, with a dramatic picture window overlooking the adjacent Ashton Court deer park.

The building composition combines Siberian larch timber cladding and contrasts against standing seam aluminium cladding. The timber is uncoated and will turn silvery grey over time further integrating the building into the parkland setting with an anodised aluminium cladding finish chosen to enhance the natural properties of the metal and reflect the ambient light of the surrounding context.