facilities
Construction of the new hdti building has completed and the team moved into the building in early June 2009. The official launch of the building is scheduled for later in the year and further information will be posted onto the website shortly.
Situated next to the Design Hub on the Technology Park, the building forms the entrance to the Park itself and will represent the latest innovations in building access and inclusive design.
The building is DDA compliant and has been ergonomically and inclusively designed for effective use by all occupants. This incorporates an innovative disabled parking scheme, hearing loop systems designed for way-finding throughout the building, easy and simple building access and appropriate floor and wall coverings, colour schemes and furniture which allow effective depth perception for the partially sighted.
The ground floor of the building is occupied by the design and usability functions of the Institute. These include a design studio and workshop for the building prototypes alongside an enhanced usability suite. This flexible area may be customised to suit most evaluation requirements and is large enough to accommodate vehicle access. This allows users to trial and evaluate a product within the appropriate environment.
Purpose built usability lab space within the building features discreet cameras and microphones to allow focus groups to take place with minimum disruption from observation. The room itself has been designed with comfortable surroundings, similar to a living area, so the functionality of the room is not compromised.
The first floor will house the bistro and seating area as well as hot-desking facilities for University staff.
The second floor of the building will provide rented corporate office space and hot-desking facilities for pre-start up companies as well as two lecture theatres.
Facilities In Brief:
• Design studios with in-house design team
• Early mock-up construction
• Rapid prototyping capability
• Evaluation laboratories
• Product testing facilities
• Useability research suite
• User research viewing room
• Start-up business units
• Corporate R&D office space
• Meeting rooms
• Informal refreshment area
• Exhibition & demonstration space
• Inclusive building design
• Showcase accessible garden area
