The EEE Building marks a key point of arrival at the University of Southampton. The brief called for a building for the Engineering and Education departments that would be open, accessible, and expressive of the academic and social activity within. In response, the building is organised around a glazed, full-height internal ‘street’ that is visible from outside and gives immediate understanding of the building’s layout and use.

This internal street acts as both circulation and social space, linking teaching, study and breakout areas. It also plays an environmental role, enabling higher levels of passive ventilation than are typically achievable in buildings of this type, contributing to energy efficiency and user comfort.

Accommodation includes a series of flexible, programmable teaching and study spaces, supported by a 430-seat lecture theatre. Colour-coding of different areas is derived from the three ‘pigments’ from which computers make colour – red, green and blue – alluding to the work of the academic departments. Splashes of colour are visible through the glazed facade, along with the movement of people along high-level walkways within, making a lively, animated introduction to the campus.