Cardiff School of Art and Design celebrates Summer Show and record rise in application in newly completed building

Following completion to time and budget in December 2013, the new Cardiff School of Art and Design has so far been partially occupied whilst students completed their academic year.

Dean of the School, Gaynor Kavanagh, addressed an invited audience of stakeholders, students and guests in a celebration of this important new phase in its 149 year history.  The celebration coincided with the Summer Show, with the new building hosting Textiles, Architectural Technology and Graphic Design exhibitions of final year work.

Whilst not yet in full use, the building has already met with critical acclaim and has made a tangible impact on prospective new student visitors at a series of open days held over the past few months.

The University has confirmed a staggering 33% rise in applications which is ahead of any expectation and UK average, and is an immediate reward for the investment undertaken.

The Dean commented that the building, which she described as being warm, full of light and welcoming, had undoubtedly played a key role in this achievement.  She also commented that the building was proof of the positive impact that good design has on occupants and that you could actually sense people walking taller and being physically lifted.  Crucially she felt that the new building shifted the perception of the student from being in a School to a University and that this would also drive creativity, quality and achievement.