The plan called for an extension of the original 'masterplan' for the campus which would complement the 'brutalist' 1960s buildings.
Online architectural and design magazine designboom reports: 'The brief called for a single building that would complement the library and provide 24-hour student services, with integrated media and learning centres. However, architects Patel Taylor opted to split the purposes of the library and student centre into two separate structures, creating a landscaped space between. Consequently, the buildings create a natural gateway, framing the east-west axis to the northern edge of the campus.'
The student centre rests on a stone platform at the edge of a lake.
You can see a gallery of images by following the news link to designboom on the right.