The origins of the University of Nottingham's Sutton Bonington campus go back to an agricultural school founded around 1900, and the campus is proud of these roots. Up until the present day, around 10 miles from University Park – the University of Nottingham's central site – greenhouses, enclosures and an extensive arboretum can still be found. What sounds like a village idyll is actually a state-of-the-art research and teaching site with all the associated infrastructure – from laboratories to lecture halls, libraries and student halls of residence.

The continuous growth of the campus is controlled by a master plan. This defines the sites for new buildings, for example the new Gateway Building or the Research Centre for Bioenergy and Brewing Science. While long-term renovation requirements are analysed in the master plan together with implementation proposals, it also contains specifications for the optimisation and coordination of roads, paths, car parks and outdoor facilities. The aim is to create a functional and attractive environment for students, employees and visitors as well as helping to give the campus a strong identity.

The range of materials, shapes and colours specified in the master plan, as part of the general design guidelines, was also taken into account in planning new exterior lighting for various areas of the campus. With their functional design language that focuses on basic geometric shapes, high-quality materials and sophisticated lighting technology, the luminaires from WE-EF meet these requirements perfectly. At the same time, they harmonise with the different architectural styles. For example, LTM440 LED-FT light columns illuminate the paths and areas close to the new amenities building, "The Barn", which includes a large restaurant as well as event areas and quiet spaces. 

Thanks to their unpretentious design, the light columns blend very well with the surrounding architecture, both in the daytime and at night. WE-EF CTY150 LED-FT bollards add to the atmospheric lighting of outdoor areas. Like the LTMs, they are fitted with CAD-optimised indirect optics for superior illumination and glare control. In the music pavilion, RFS530 LED luminaires provide uniform area lighting, while FLC121 LED projectors are used for accent lighting.

Landscape Architect: Munro & Whitten
Photographs: James Newton Photography