Architectural Design facilities

Study in our Arkwright studio space

Studio space

As a BArch (Hons) Architecture or BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student you'll have full access to our dedicated studio space, based in our Grade II listed Arkwright building.

You'll share the studio with students from all years to study, share ideas and complete project work.

Students developing their models

Model making studio

You'll be able to develop your projects in this well-equipped space, facilitated with expert supervision from our workshop technicians.

Students in our woodwork workshop

Woodwork and metal workshops

You'll be well trained and encouraged to operate the machinery in this fully-equipped workshop. The space is equipped with a CNC lathe, 4 axis miller, waterjet cutter and plasma cutter.

The perfect light testing equipment for architecture projects

Heliodon

Based in our workshop’s dark room is our state-of-the-art Heliodon, a fantastic device that accurately demonstrates the motion of the sun, aiding the design of solar responsive architecture and spaces.

Workshop store

You'll have access to this space in your tutorials and for group and individual project work. The space is well-equipped with machinery and used by all students in the School.

Study centre

Based in the Maudslay building, this space is perfect for private study and is equipped with computers, large format plotters and desk space, together with the latest, and archived, journals and publications.

The waterjet cutter in action

Flow Corporation CNC waterjet

Waterjet cutting is one of the fastest growing major machine tool processes in the world and this £100,000 piece of equipment is able to cut almost any material to a depth of 150mm. You'll be taught to operate this machine and supervised by expert technicians.

Our CNC lathe in the Maudslay workshop

CNC lathe

You'll be taught to use this machine for cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, and deformation of metal based materials. You can use this equipment for metalworking, woodturning, metal spinning and thermal spraying.

Our milling machine at work

CNC 4 axis milling machine

Using a milling machine is one of the most commonly used processes in industry for machining parts to specific sizes and shapes. You'll use our HAAS machine develop and design your projects.

3D prints made in our machines

3D printers

Produce models and full scale prototypes on the latest model of this medical grade printer. You'll receive training and advice on how to full utilise this fantastic piece of equipment.

CNC 4 axis router

Take the opportunity to develop your projects on this computer operated machinery, ideal for small model making in wood, plastic, Styrofoam and more.

Laser cutting machines

You'll be able to work with our large and small format laser cutting machines to progress your designs in a range of materials.

Spray booth

Colour your designs in our spray booth, based in the Maudslay workshops. It's a ventilated room used for the spray painting of fabricated items and project work, with a waterfall backdrop to trap overspray.

Building services laboratory

You can use this workshop space, filled with industry-standard equipment, to test air flow, electrics and heating systems.

Plasma cutter

Plasma cutting is the process of cutting through materials through accelerated bursts of hot plasma. You can use our high quality machine, which is able to cut metal from 0.5mm – 15mm.

Computer-based software

You'll have access to a range of software to aid your project developments:

- Adobe Creative Suite Web Premium CS5 (including Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamworks, Acrobat Pro);

- Autodesk Productivity Suite (including AutoCAD, Revit, 3DS Max Design with VRay);

- Cinema 4D Artlantis, Rhino, Solidworks, Primavera, Vectorworks and Hevacomp; and

- Microsoft Office