First look at new Swansea University campus

“These renders might not show exactly how the final buildings will look. They serve to give a good idea of the site plan. Top architects are being employed to design the new campus - Hopkins Architects and Porphyrios. Look them up on the web. Hopkins have designed some very nice modern buildings whereas Porphyrios's designs look more traditional. These might give better clues to how the buildings will look.”

“@Philosoraptor - just to be clear. My first comment was to highlight that the choice of the Fabian Way site by Swansea University was a decision based upon cost - it was not about location or whether Swansea Council had any input as you suggested earlier. It is probably true however that the track records of NPT and Swansea councils as planning authorities also became a factor in the final stages.

My second post was to emphasise that these plans had always been aspirational until a funding/borrowing package was finally announced last month.

If you take so badly to be contradicted then perhaps you should be clearer in whatever point it is that you are attempting to make.”

“Yes, I agree that the architecture is little utilitarian, but acceptable.

Anyway, leaving aside the physical structure of the campus, I'm really happy that the project is moving forward. If spin-off opportunities are taken, it could be lifesaver for the area.”

“Neathboy

i am no royalist either but the Royals do often say sensible things, not least on architecture, usually!”

“by kasparov44Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:12AM
"Sorry Philosoraptor but I think you're a bit confused. Swansea University has always sought an out-of-town location for its innovation campus so as to enable future expansion. Fabian Way was short-listed and the availability of free land sealed the deal.

I am not sure why you think this is old news as the announcement to fund the project was only made last month."

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Well Kasparov, I recommend you read comments properly next time. I know the University wanted an out of town location and I am surprised you even mentioned they wanted it... because I didn't suggest otherwise. I am also surprised you felt the need to say that the fund was only just announced as I didn't argue otherwise on that point neither.

In fact, looking back over my previous comments, I can see I was in fact very clear about what I was saying. For you special needs though, I will repeat what I have said just because I like you:

Swansea University were looking to expand even when BP was using the new plans location. They approached Swansea Council back then looking for a location, however Swansea Council insisted that it must be near the centre of the city. The University being smart decided that was unworkable, think about it, the costs would have been higher than they wanted.

Then BP offered the land because they vacated and so the University then approached Neath Port Talbot who approved. Swansea Council meanwhile were left wanting to eat cake where there was none, that cake was duly delivered to Neath Port Talbot where the late birthday surprise was being held. They blew candles out and everything! They even had jelly and icecream! Mmmmmm.

Are you still going to tell us what we already know?”

“The land given to the university by BP straddles the border: it's in Neath and Swansea. They are only building on the larger section in NPT because, as I understand it, Swansea Council were objecting to the scheme. I suppose in the future, if Swansea come on side, they can also build on the section of land that is in Swansea.

Yes, St Modwen are developing Llandarcy and this part. I think they've got the job of developing all of the former BP land in the area.”

“StephenG11 i think they may have gone for the 1930's look, perhaps they are after Prince Charles to open it. Oddly enough i have never been much of a royalist, but i tend to agree with HRH on most things.”

“This development is the best news for the Swansea area / region / whatever we want to call it, in decades. However, the buildings illustrated mostly look as if they were designed in the 1930's. I would hope for something more modern and adventurous.”

“hafodsam i don't think the students will be going into Neath to do a bit of shopping/drinking will they. After all it's only 15 min's walk into Swansea, more like an hour and half into Neath. Besides by the time it is up and running we will all be living in the Swansea bay area under the new city region status(something else i think is very good as well)”

“How does something sited in Neath suddenly get to be "an excellent addition to the city of Swansea"? Has Neathboy moved the boundary?”