The University of Nottingham Students’ Union (SU) has today revealed plans ‘Phase 3’ of its continued redevelopment of Portland Building, home of the SU.
The planned changes to the Portland Building follow the newly designed Mooch Terrace, The Studio, the Peace Garden and the installation of a big screen as part of a wider regeneration of the area. 
The new screen is part of a wider plan for Portland Hill, which will be landscaped into a new hard-standing pavilion with water features. The pavilion will have amphitheatre-style seating, which according to the SU will create ‘a great screening destination for events’.
Internally, the ‘Welcome Zone’ will be the biggest change. Blackwells is to be relocated to allow for the expansion of a new ‘Welcome Zone’. The SU reception will be located in this area.
The ‘Welcome Zone’ will also have a seating area and power points ‘so that you have a place to sit and meet with friends […] and can get on with work too’.
A mezzanine will be host to the SU Officers, making them ‘easier to find and more visible’.
B Floor will be made into a ‘Retail Zone’. Blackwells will be joining SPAR and Boots in this area as the SU felt that ‘the building needed to make sense by having similar services located near one another’.
Unitemps, SU Clothing, Hair and Beauty and Accommodation will be located on B Floor, as well as a ‘branded’ coffee shop.
The Students’ Union Advice Centre will be moving ‘into a new space’ along from The Hub on C Floor. According to the SU, this offers a ‘location that is both visible and accessible, but more discreet’.
Careers and Employability, as well as Campaigns and Alumni Relations, will be found on D Floor – the SU is calling this ‘the Future Zone’.
A ‘Skybridge’ is being installed over the top of the Atrium, linking D Floor to the Food Court on E Floor. The Atrium itself is to be rejuvenated, with the SU looking at ways to keep the temperature consistent as well as installing games for general use.
The SU has stated that following these redevelopments, Phase 4 will add: a ‘Media Zone’ (where Impact, NSTV, URN and the CD + Record Library will be found); a ‘Get Involved Zone (for Sports, Karnival and Volunteering amongst other groups); a ‘Faith Zone’ near the chaplaincy which will lead out into the new peace gardens; and a new dance and performance studio with retractable seating for shows.
Steven Green
Images: The University of Nottingham Students’ Union
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