FWP delivers a fine point of law with university’s court refurbishment

Law students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) now have a modern courtroom setting to sharpen their legal skills following a major refurbishment project.

Award-winning architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP was the contract lead, tasked with delivering the upgraded Moot Court Room inside the university’s historic Harris Building in Preston city centre.

Its Preston headquartered team acted as contract administrators, cost consultants, principal designer and Construction Design and Management (CDM) consultants on the project for the university’s School of Law and Policing.

The purpose-built courtroom allows students to gain practical experience, presenting cases in a real-life setting, taking part in trials and acting as legal representatives as they learn how to conduct themselves in a court of law.

The refurbishment work involved removing several walls and a new fit-out of the space, along with the installation of specialist lighting and audio, video and electrical improvements. The courtroom was also fitted with a new comfort cooling system.

FWP was part of the project team that included Lancashire headquartered construction company Carefoot. Manchester based Day Architectural carried out the interior design work. The refurbishment took 10 weeks to complete.

Jonathan Hunter, Associate at FWP, which also has offices in Manchester and London, said: “The Moot Court is one of UCLan’s high profile spaces and we were delighted to be able to play our part in its refurbishment.

“The finished project gives the university’s law students a fantastic asset where they can gain practical courtroom experience. It mirrors a modern courtroom in every way.

“We worked closely with the teams at Carefoot and Day Architecture to successfully deliver the project and all the upgrades that were carried out alongside the building work.”

The Harris Building opened in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year, 1897, and was known as the Victoria Jubilee Technical School. Today it is an iconic part of the university’s Preston city centre campus.

Sammy Dean, senior interior designer at Day Architectural, says the refurbishment has created a facility that “immerses students in a modern courtroom environment, through the use of a ‘turn and learn’ educational seating system.”

It can host up to 74 students and she said: “This interactive learning environment encourages collaboration and engagement among students.

“The bespoke courtroom furniture and integrated AV system further immerses students within the roles of the courtroom.

“Along with hardwearing and acoustic finishes, the Moot Court makes for a progressive and sophisticated teaching facility that will stand the test of time and remain a modern addition to the School of Law and Policing.”