University of Worcester

Project: Refurbishment of restaurant at the University of Worcester

Country/city: United Kingdom/Worcester

Interior design: Tom Marlow, One Creative Environments Ltd

Main contractor: Speller Metcalfe Ltd

Photos by: Ecophon

Project size: 400m²

The University of Worcester is a popular university with six academic departments offering potential students over 200 courses. And one thing about all students, whatever they study, is they need places to eat. The university needed to refurbish its existing restaurant at its St John’s Campus and commissioned multi-disciplinary design firm, One Creative Environments Ltd (One) for the project – with spectacular results.

“It was originally quite a dark space that was lacking in natural light and needed updating,” recalled Tom Marlow of One. “We decided to start with a clean palette, creating a fresh-looking space that was organised and arranged in a considered way.”

As well as making an inviting visual impression, the dining hall needed to be a comfortable environment to be in. “We had to deal with that swimming pool echo effect typical of large spaces,” explained Tom. “We diffused this echo by using Ecophon products. We chose them because we were guaranteed a Class A absorbency and you know you’re going to get good value for money.”

One was also extremely satisfied with the Ecophon service: “The website is very informative, while James from Ecophon was in regular contact to check we were happy with everything", said Tom.

The finished dining hall has been extremely well received by the university and staff and students are enjoying the new space.

“We will certainly use Ecophon products again. The dining hall is a very successful outcome acoustically and visually.”

Tom Marlow of One Creative Environments Ltd