NTU_Dada_1050x700_01
NTU_Dada_1050x700_03
NTU_Dada_1050x700_04
NTU_Dada_1050x700_07
NTU_Dada_1050x700_06
NTU_Dada_1050x700_09
NTU_Dada_1050x700_10
NTU_Dada_1050x700_12
NTU_Dada_1050x700_13
NTU_Dada_1050x700_14
NTU_Dada_1050x700_16
NTU_Dada_1050x700_17
NTU_Dada_1050x700_19
NTU_Dada_1050x700_20
NTU_Dada_1050x700_23
NTU_Dada_1050x700_26
NTU_Dada_1050x700_27
NTU_Dada_1050x700_30
NTU_Dada_1050x700_31
NTU_Dada_1050x700_33
NTU_Dada_1050x700_36
NTU_Dada_1050x700_39
NTU_Dada_1050x700_40
NTU_Dada_1050x700_42
NTU_Dada_1050x700_43
NTU_Dada_1050x700_46
NTU_Dada_1050x700_47
NTU_Dada_1050x700_48
NTU_Dada_1050x700_50
NTU_Dada_1050x700_51
NTU_Dada_1050x700_53
NTU_Dada_1050x700_54
NTU_Dada_1050x700_55
NTU_Dada_1050x700_56
NTU_Dada_1050x700_57
NTU_Dada_1050x700_58
NTU_Dada_1050x700_59
NTU_Dada_1050x700_60
NTU_Dada_1050x700_61

”Showcase PSR began to work with us following a successful bid to supply and install the furniture for the Design & Digital Arts Centre. Immediately, their professionalism and attention to detail shone through. The Showcase PSR team were keen to understand the form and function of the new development to enable them to collaborate with the project team to finalise specific furniture choices.

Similarly, during installation, the team worked with the main contractor and other trades to ensure timely completion. Since completion of Design & Digital Arts, we have collaborated with Showcase on several smaller projects and their design, supply and installation service continues to impress and improve NTU spaces.”

Jill MarlowHead of Development, Estates Department

When Nottingham Trent University (NTU) embarked on its ambitious project to create the Design & Digital Arts Building (D&DA), they turned to Showcase PSR to bring their vision to life. As the first of its kind, this ten-storey building was designed to foster creativity, technological innovation, and collaboration among students and staff.

Awarded through a competitive tender, Showcase PSR played a pivotal role, handling everything from consultancy and space planning to furniture selection and installation, ensuring the final result aligned perfectly with the University’s world-class aspirations.

 

Scope & Services

Showcase PSR took on the full spectrum of services to shape the Design & Digital Arts Building into an inspiring space for students and staff. The process began with detailed consultancy and space planning, working closely with the University to ensure that every corner of the building – whether a project room, staff workspace, or café – was designed to function effortlessly.

Next came the furniture selection, where Showcase PSR led the way in curating pieces that balanced style, functionality, and budget. From ergonomic seating to bespoke desks built for cutting-edge digital equipment, every piece was carefully chosen to enhance the user experience. Collaborating with 13 different manufacturers, our team managed the logistics of delivering and installing each item to ensure the project’s scale and scope were met with precision.

Sustainability

Sustainability was woven into every phase of the Design & Digital Arts Building. As part of NTU’s eco-conscious vision, Showcase PSR made strategic choices to minimise environmental impact. Around 65% of the furniture was sourced locally, significantly reducing transportation-related carbon emissions.

Additionally, we made sure that the materials used in the furniture were as eco-friendly as possible. Soft seating from Sixteen3, for example, was crafted from recycled plastics and agricultural fibreboard, showcasing a smart blend of sustainability and style. FSC Certified were implemented throughout, and sustainable packaging was used throughout the project, ensuring that the final product was not only high-tech and functional but also aligned with the University’s commitment to green building practices.

Success Points

The success of the Design & Digital Arts Building was defined by comprehensive planning and the flexibility to overcome challenges. Despite the ongoing complications of working on a live site, Showcase PSR adapted quickly, adjusting schedules and finding creative solutions to keep the project on track.

One of the standout successes was our ability to meet the project’s budget while delivering a design-led, functional space that could evolve with the changing needs of education. The bespoke task chairs, ergonomic studio desks, and other selected furniture not only provided comfort but were tailor-made for a high-tech learning environment.

Since the project’s completion, the NTU has continued to entrust Showcase PSR with further responsibilities, inviting us to collaborate on future projects across their campuses. Beyond design and installation, our partnership now extends to offering graduate schemes and internships for students, furthering our commitment to nurturing the next generation of interior designers and construction professionals.

The Design & Digital Arts Building is a shining example of what can be achieved when creativity, technology, and sustainability unite.

 

Discover more Showcase PSR projects here.

Leave a Reply