Innovative, effective, enjoyable? Creating the evidence base to deliver productive academic workplaces

This project conducted a study of new academic workspaces in the UK between mid 2008 and the end of 2009. This led to the publication of a report ‘The case for new academic workspaces', by James Pinder and others (Loughborough: Department of Civil and Building Engineering, Loughborough University, 2009) ISBN 978 1 897911 33 4.

The project gathered evidence on the performance of recently built academic research settings, and from relevant commercial settings, with a view to creating more productive office-based research environments.

The report highlights the pace of change in academic workspaces. It shows that the most successful buildings are part of wider organisational change, and that it is essential to keep all stakeholders enthusiastically engaged. It also identifies the role of 'space champions'. These are individuals empowered to represent the ultimate users of buildings, and to engage with professionals during planning and construction.

This project worked with LGMF-147: Learning Landscapes (University of Lincoln).

Total funding : £193,625

Web-site : www.academicworkspace.com