The new building adds 75,000 sq. m. of additional campus space

Scott Tallon Walker Architects (STW), one of Ireland’s leading architectural firms, welcomes Ulster University to its recently expanded campus at the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.


Commencing in 2014 and working closely with our sub-consultants; White Ink Architects, Murphy Facades and The Paul Hogarth Company, STW led the Sacyr Contractor design team in developing Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ exemplar design through detail design to construction and completion. The new building, which opened for the 2022/23 academic year, adds 75,000 sq. m. of additional campus space, making it one of the largest higher education capital builds in Europe. Accommodating over 15,000 students and staff, the new facility’s design reflects Ulster University’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement, and also. supports the wider masterplan for the Belfast region, which has already seen an estimated £1.4 billion investment in its wider regeneration.


The exemplar design took its architectural inspiration from the surrounding hills of Belfast with the stepped building form, 11 stories over a twin basement at its highest, adding 75,000 sq. m. of additional campus space. The new building fully occupies its 2.4-acre site, bounded by York Street and Frederick Street, and is connected by a new pedestrian bridge to the existing University buildings across the street. As one of the largest capital builds in Europe, the building features over 300 learning spaces, a two-storey library and nine catering outlets arranged around five atria. An internal ‘campus’ of pedestrian routes and publicly accessible spaces allows the new building to be integrated with the surrounding streets making the new university feel like part of the city. The completed building achieves a BREEAM Excellent rating, one of the leading sustainability credentials in the market.

“The new campus was designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. We are proud to have led the contractor’s design team in the delivery of this innovative, sustainable campus building that, not only aligns with Ulster University’s ambitions but also contributes to the further development of the surrounding urban fabric. I would like to thank our team for its tremendous effort and commitment, working for over seven years to deliver this state-of-the-art project that will leave a lasting legacy in the heart of Belfast.”

Rebecca Ryan, Project Director at STW

For more information on this projects please contact STW Project Director Rebecca Ryan or STW Director Bryan Roe. 

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