A Staffordshire leisure contractor has completed a major refit of Cardiff University’s Students Union facilities.
Rugeley-based Kribensis Leisure Contracts carried out the quarter-million pound refit, which involved transforming the Students Union snooker and games room into an international lounge, reflecting the university’s multi-cultural population.
The refit included space-age cabin style booths, a presentation area, meeting rooms and study group booths, with flexible modular seating.
The focal point of the lounge area is a giant, interactive map of the world complete with images from students’ homelands. This is combined with LED lighting which is programmed to be in sync with the movement of the sun, giving a visual indication of the time in countries around the globe.
High tech features in the refit include Skype pods in which students can Skype home in private, wireless charge points for phones and laptops and an interactive touch-screen kitchen table for presentations.
Design work on the Students Union transformation was carried out by KLC’s sister company, GMP Design, also based in Rugeley. The new facility was officially opened by Cardiff University vice-chancellor Dr David Grant.
Lead designer Darren Aspinall said, “This was one of the most exciting projects we have undertaken in recent years. It is refreshing to see the University’s willingness to invest in a space that is truly reflective of the needs of the students. As well as providing a clear brief, they were very open to the numerous innovative features which we proposed. This facility will help in strengthening Cardiff University’s position as a forward-thinking institution.”
This was not the first University project carried out by the Kribensis and GMP Design teams. They have also completed the refurbishment of the Students Union bar at Leicester De Montfort University, and completely redesigned The Academi, a nightclub for students at Bangor University. They have also completed the refit of a student club at the University of Westminster and carried out work on leisure facilities at Loughborough and Portsmouth universities.
Kribensis, based on the Towers Business Park in Rugeley, was established 10 years ago and has become a UK leader in new builds and refits in the leisure and hospitality industries.