The University of Warwick
Students' Union website documents the journey
that the union made to find a suitable home
for its services. Over a six year
period, from the inception of the
organization, they occupied a number of
buildings on campus including a giant
inflatable structure "affectionately" referred
to as the "Balloon". When the building
above was completed in the 1970s, the SU
website says that it was, " ... heralded an
architectural masterpiece." Ironically
the building wasn't designed for the students'
union. It was, in fact, under
construction as a multi-purpose administrative
building when a change of direction was
agreed. Over the years the building was
extended to reflect the growing needs as the
population of the university grew. In
1998 Union North was created.
 
The biggest
change though came in 2009 when the building
was refurbished by the London based
architectural practice of
MacCormac Jamieson Prichard. Reflecting
on the results of MJP's work the university
newspaper said that it, " ... is
exactly the right blend of
old and new, evoking both a feeling of
nostalgia and refreshing promise." Claire
Horton, the SU General Manager said, “The
building is truly phenomenal and exactly
as envisioned… and will deliver student
and commercial services like never
before.” The brief
apparently, " ... was to create a
series of spaces with different scales and
characters: performance spaces, balcony
bars, multi-purpose venues, an atrium pub,
a club and dancefloors."
MJP's website explains
that, "The new structure provides a
dynamic, splayed frontage which
acknowledges the existing structural
grid and draws the eye through to the
central atrium. The cafe and bar terrace
will provide a strong relationship
between the building and the plaza."
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