Summer start planned for Exeter Multi-Faith Centre

Having received planning permission, Willmott Dixon said it expects construction work to start this summer on a Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus.

The centre will replace the existing Muslim prayer rooms and multi-faith spaces in the old library with a 50-person Muslim prayer space, alongside a multi-faith space. It will also house communal meeting space, a kitchen, a dedicated office for the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team, a Changing Places facility and an external terrace area.

Shraddha Chaudhary, Assistant Director for Culture and Inclusion at the University of Exeter said: “We are really excited to progress our plans for the new centre. The University is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion and developing cultural competence working with partners across Exeter and Cornwall, and the wider region.”

Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are fundamental to the design of the new centre, which aims to achieve the Passivhaus standard. Features include the use of air source heat pumps and PV panels on the building’s roof.

Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon commented: “Having worked with the University of Exeter on a number of projects, we are looking forward to delivering this new and inclusive Multi-Faith Centre and supporting the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, culture and heritage of its students and the wider community. This project aligns with our commitment to push the boundaries of sustainable design, construction and operation of a building.”