Former Debenhams transformed into cutting-edge campus for University of Gloucestershire

Historic Gloucester building to feature advanced sustainable design and state-of-the-art learning facilities thanks to Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding

University of Gloucestershire is set to breathe new life into the historic city centre of Gloucester with the conversion of the former Debenhams store into an innovative educational campus. 

This project, supported by Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and our teams at Salix, aims to set a new standard in sustainable building refurbishment.

The iconic Kings Square building, a prominent fixture in Gloucester’s city centre, is undergoing a significant transformation. As well as becoming an exciting new educational, arts and community building – the site is designed with sustainability in mind.

The phased opening of these facilities will commence in 2025, with over 1,000 students beginning their classes at the new campus. Alongside this, a full schedule of business and community engagement activities will be offered, including the student-run Law Clinic that will offer free legal advice to local residents. Once all phases are finished, the new campus will accommodate nearly 4,000 students and 350 staff members.

While the original structure’s walls remain intact, the 20,000m2 building has been stripped down and rebuilt from the inside out. The refurbishments are focused on enhancing the building’s energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Members of our Salix team had the opportunity to visit the university and talk  with those involved in the redevelopment project.

The project’s sustainability centrepiece is a shift from outdated gas boilers to a more sustainable heating system. The university plans to install air source heat pumps (ASHP), which will provide both heating and cooling. This new system replaces five old gas boilers and promises a substantial reduction in operational carbon emissions. 

The university is also investing in substantial improvements to the building’s thermal performance. This includes the installation of high-quality insulation, new double-glazed windows, and extensive thermal upgrades to the roof, walls, and existing structures. 

These measures are designed to drastically reduce the building's energy demand and improve overall efficiency by around 80%.

The new facilities will feature state-of-the-art simulation spaces with video linking capabilities, allowing students to observe their peers teaching in a simulated classroom environment. An immersive Virtual Reality room and an Electroencephalogram (EEG) lab will provide students with dynamic learning experiences. The EEG lab will enable students to study the brain’s natural electrical activity and its responses to various tasks and conditions.

The development will also include science and computer labs, an Education Art Studio, and a design and technology lab.

Transforming the former retail space into an educational facility has not been without its challenges. The project team faced complexities due to the building’s central location, which posed difficulties in accessing the site and delivering equipment. 

The structure is composed of three distinct sections from different eras, each with its own architectural characteristics. This required careful planning to integrate modern upgrades while preserving the building’s unique features.

An unexpected hurdle emerged during construction when archaeological remains were discovered on-site. This significant finding included church remains and various burials from different periods, leading to project delays. Despite these setbacks, the university remains committed to showcasing a model of sustainable and historically respectful refurbishment.

University of Gloucestershire is not only focused on creating a new campus but also on setting an example of how to approach building renovation with a sustainability-first mindset. 

Dame Clare Marchant, University of Gloucestershire’s Vice Chancellor, said: 

“The fact we are breathing a new lease of life into this existing property rather than building something new is a testament to the importance we place on sustainability. 

Throughout the project we have balanced the need to faithfully restore original architectural features alongside the need to make the improvements necessary to ensure the new campus will meet modern standards for things like energy efficiency, accessibility and maintenance. 

I am immensely proud of the fact that the steps we have taken have resulted in an 80% improvement in the building’s energy efficiency.  The restoration includes using the original glaziers, Crittall Windows, to recreate the site’s feature windows on the upper floors - only this time they double glazed them for better energy efficiency.”   

The project’s success will demonstrate the benefits of integrating low-carbon technologies and energy-efficient practices in large-scale refurbishments. 

Upcoming developments in shared public access facilities will include the establishment of a Health, Arts, and Wellbeing Centre in collaboration with the NHS Integrated Care Board. Additionally, a new public library, created in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, and a café will be introduced as part of these initiatives.

Evelyn West, our programme coordinator, who visited the university, said: 

"Visiting the University of Gloucestershire and witnessing the transformation of the former Debenhams store was incredibly impressive. The scale and ambition of this project reflect a remarkable commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

We are thrilled to see that low carbon and energy efficient technologies have been integrated with modern learning facilities to create a new community hub right in the centre of the city.”

For more information about the University of Gloucestershire’s campus redevelopment and other sustainability initiatives, visit University of Gloucestershire website.