Ridge to speak at Future Cities Forum about the ambitious masterplan for the University of Portsmouth

Image: Technology Building at the University of Portsmouth - courtesy Ridge

Future Cities Forum will be asking architect Michael Mitchell about Ridge's work on the masterplan for Portsmouth University at its 'Student Cities' forum this week.

The University of Portsmouth embarked on an ambitious redevelopment of its city centre campus, aiming to create a cutting-edge environment that enhances student wellbeing and attracts top talent.

The vision was to deliver a masterplan focused on people-centric spaces, sustainability and digital connectivity. Post-pandemic shifts in higher education demanded a fresh approach – one that balanced in-person and remote learning while ensuring students remained engaged in a dynamic campus setting. With a £250 million investment planned over ten years, the university wanted to transform its estate into a cohesive, intelligent and future-proofed space that supports learning, community and innovation.

Ridge provided multidisciplinary expertise to help the University of Portsmouth realise its ambitious vision. It states:

'Our Project and Cost Management teams led the development of the masterplan and overall strategy. They shaped a coordinated approach that balanced architectural ambition with day-to-day operational needs, ensuring every investment supported the university’s long-term growth. This included building a robust cost plan, managing risk, aligning inputs across disciplines and rolling out a streamlined engagement model that brought together estates teams, academics and students to enable confident, collaborative decision-making.

'The strategic redesign was led by our architectural consultants, creating a more unified campus that fosters connection and belonging. A thorough review of existing facilities uncovered opportunities to enhance student wellbeing by improving flow and cohesion. The resulting vision blended contemporary design with practical functionality — crafting an environment that is both welcoming and adaptable.

'Our Health and Safety and Flood Risk specialists were involved from the outset to ensure compliance, resilience and environmental performance were built into the design. Meanwhile, our Lighting team introduced targeted interventions to enhance wellbeing and usability across the estate.

'The redevelopment will deliver an intuitive, connected campus where students thrive. A key element of the masterplan is the creation of a central ‘spine’ connecting teaching facilities, leading to a new Student Hub near the award-winning Ravelin Sports Centre. Designed to the WELL building standard, this hub consolidates student services, bridging the gap between the library and the student union. The £110 million Faculty of Technology Building integrates five outdated buildings into a single, flexible space, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

'By implementing sustainable, adaptable designs, the university will benefit from a future-proofed estate that supports its ambition to become the UK’s top modern university by 2030 and by putting student wellbeing, sustainability and adaptability at its core, the University of Portsmouth is creating a future-ready environment that will grow and evolve with its students'

Welsh Government's Mutual Investment Model (MIM) programme

Ridge is currently helping to shape the future of education across South Wales through its involvement in two landmark projects for Cardiff and Vale College. It says:

'Appointed in May this year, our civil, structural and geotechnical teams have been working at pace to deliver the Barry Waterfront Campus in Barry and the Advanced Technology Centre in Rhoose. Together, these facilities form part of the Welsh Government’s Mutual Investment Model (MIM) programme, designed to create world-class learning environments that inspire students and support local communities.

'Construction is now well underway at both campuses. Foundation works are progressing steadily, and steel fabrication is scheduled to begin in the new year. Our civil, structural and geotechnical specialists have been central to this progress, particularly in overcoming the complex ground conditions at Barry Waterfront, a site built on regenerated dockland nearly ten metres deep. Our ability to respond quickly to challenges has been critical: one of our geotechnical experts attended the ATC site almost twenty times in just two months, providing hands-on support that ensured foundations could move forward without delay. 

'Delivering projects of this scale requires strong partnerships. Ridge is proud to be working alongside Bouygues Construction, the Tier 1 contractor leading delivery on site, Powell Dobson Architects, Sheppard Robson Architects, and Atkins Realis, responsible for mechanical, electrical and public health engineering. Together, this integrated team is combining technical excellence with innovation to realise Cardiff and Vale College’s vision for modern, sustainable learning environments. 

'The Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is being designed as a hub of innovation, equipping students with the skills needed for industries of the future. The facility will house an impressive range of specialist spaces, including laboratories for electrical and mechanical engineering, bricklaying and carpentry workshops, vehicle workshops, virtual reality and composites labs, advanced manufacturing suites, plumbing and computing workshops, CAD suites, and even an e‑sports lab. This diverse mix reflects the college’s ambition to prepare students for both traditional trades and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring graduates are ready to contribute to a rapidly evolving economy. 

'The Barry Waterfront Campus (BWC) will provide equally dynamic opportunities, supporting vocational and creative learning across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Facilities will include a restaurant and production kitchen, beauty studios, ALN services with outdoor teaching spaces, a multi-cultural terrace and greenhouses, craft courses, art studios, IT classrooms and health and safety training spaces. Situated on a regenerated dockland site, the campus is part of a wider regeneration scheme that also includes the Barry Waterfront Primary School, another Ridge project, and complements the flagship Cardiff campus. Together, these developments represent a significant expansion of educational provision beyond Cardiff city centre, bringing opportunities closer to communities outside of the city centre. 

'Sustainability sits at the heart of both schemes. Ridge is working closely with partners to minimise concrete use and meet strict carbon emission targets, supporting the college’s long-term ambition to achieve net zero carbon. This has required innovative design solutions and a commitment to reducing materials to the bare minimum without compromising structural integrity. 

'Beyond the technical delivery, Ridge has also prioritised social value. Our teams have proactively engaged with Cardiff and Vale College, suggesting presentations and workshops to students at the ATC to spark interest in construction careers and encourage future talent into the industry. By sharing our expertise directly with learners, we are helping to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring students understand the opportunities available in construction and engineering. 

'Innovation is also being embraced through technology. Bouygues has introduced Revizto, a collaboration tool, to enhance project coordination and efficiency and reduce risks and clashes on site. This digital platform is helping teams work more seamlessly across disciplines, improving communication and reducing the risk of delays. 

'Cardiff and Vale College is a forward-thinking institution, committed to providing more opportunities for students across the region. By delivering these facilities outside Cardiff city centre, the college is extending access to high-quality education and training into local communities. The projects underline a shared commitment to supporting future talent, driving innovation in construction, and embedding sustainability at the heart of design and delivery. 

'With steel frames set to rise in the new year, both campuses are progressing towards becoming transformative spaces for students and the wider community. Ridge is proud to be part of this journey, bringing expertise, responsiveness and innovation to projects that will shape the future of education in South Wales.'