Overview

As part of a substantial refurbishment project spanning multiple University of East London campuses, Bailey Streetscene supplied the University Square Stratford Campus with an extensive tiered hardwood podium seating unit.

University Square Stratford is a unique joint venture between the University of East London and Birkbeck University of London that resulted in one of London’s most modern and well-equipped campuses. It is home to 3400 students, and offers a breadth of courses from criminology to performing arts.

As with all new buildings in the city of London, a level of ingenuity and forward planning was required to maximise on space - the cubic building champions an innovative and efficient way of sharing resources and facilities with flexible, state-of-the-art teaching, performance and administrative spaces.

A private courtyard on the grounds offers a secluded external space for students with planters, trees and colourful sculptures, as well as one of the largest timber podium seating units Bailey Streetscene has ever produced; the second of 3 large podium units that have been supplied to this project.

Podium seating

This particular design takes into consideration space limitations and privacy, with it being a taller unit with shorter platforms, and includes a backboard that shields users from the wind. The podium also reflects the modern design of the building with its squared edges. The well-finished Sapele timber cladding dissipates heat and cold achieving year-round usability.

Given the scale and sheer amount of timber involved, each unit was fully assembled at Bailey Street Furniture Group's warehouse in Adlington prior to dispatch to reduce any complications during installation.

The podiums were then packaged and delivered in assembled and clad segments which were easily joined together and aligned on site.

Background

Located in the heart of Stratford’s expanding cultural quarter, the higher-education hub is part of the post-Olympic regeneration transforming the area with a vision to meet the growing aspirations of local people with an accessible, versatile and inspiring building that attracts a broad mix of students and serves a wide range of educational uses.

The project, led by HA Marks Construction, will see a full internal and external renovation across the Docklands Campus, the Stratford Campus, and the University Square Stratford Campus.