New hub, a boost for creativity
The Grove is open and it's getting an enthusiastic response from students and staff alike. Thousands of British and international students are now studying at the arts, design and media building.
They are benefitting from some of the UK’s most impressive facilities for subjects ranging from fine art, graphic design, interior design, fashion, photography and 3D animation through to multimedia, TV and film.
“Our students and staff are excited about the opportunities for creativity provided by our amazing new home and its facilities,” said Middlesex University head of Art and Design, Phil Healey.
“We designed the Grove to provide an inspirational environment and give our students the best possible start to their careers at the heart of the creative industries. Whether students go on to be self-employed entrepreneurs or work for large companies, they will have the advantage of cutting edge experience using truly professional facilities.”
The Hendon based 15,000m2 building holds around 3000 students. It has state of the art facilities, including two TV production studios and one of the best equipped digital darkrooms in the UK.
"It's brilliant as far as photography is concerned, having a colour darkroom as well as film, that's something I'm excited about being able to use,” said new BA Photography student Lauren Becki Rowlands, from Rugby.
“The studios and even the base rooms have coves that can be used as studios so there is plenty of space. Photography is a lot about the equipment and facilities you have and without them it's difficult. These facilities will make it a lot cheaper for students as we don’t have to go outside to get our work processed."
Wesley Bonnick, new 3D Animation and Games student from London, said: “I’d never seen the building before but when I saw the facilities I thought, wow, it's amazing and very big. This is where I wanted to be for 3D animation and games and when I saw this place I thought it had everything I need and I had to go for it."
The building also has space to showcase student work. The Grove’s huge atrium is designed as a venue for events, exhibitions and fashion shows – giving student work the attention it deserves.
Romany Kemp-Ghani, from London, is taking an intensive foundation in art and design (IFAD) course: "I like the way they've used the space, like the seating areas and bean bags. It's somewhere you don’t mind spending a lot of time."
Middlesex University has a long-standing reputation for providing art and design education. This began with Hornsey School of Art in 1880 which became part of Middlesex Polytechnic 1973-4 and then Middlesex University in 1992.
Phil Healey is excited about the future and the chance for teaching to begin in the new building:
“We see our role as helping students to develop their own individual creative voice, providing them with the skills and knowledge that will drive the UK’s £60bn creative industries well into the future.”
