This summer Birmingham City University says farewell to its Gosta Green Campus as the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) moves to its new £62m home at the Parkside Building in the City’s Eastside.

Thousands of people have visited Gosta Green and other locations across Birmingham over the past week to view the BIAD Graduate Shows (6-16 June) and see the very best of student work in Architecture, Art, Fashion, Textiles, 3D Design, Jewellery and Visual Communication.

The Parkside Building walkthrough

It’s been a busy time as the ‘Birmingham Made Me’ (6-21 June) design expo continues to showcase iconic products made across the region, while the University’s latest Open Day takes place tomorrow (Saturday 15 June), offering prospective students a first look at the Parkside Building ahead of its opening in September 2013.

Looking to the next stages of the University’s evolution, Chris O’Neil, Executive Dean of BIAD, said: “Moving to the new Parkside Building is probably the most significant investment in an Arts school anywhere in the world.

“BIAD began as a drawing class in Birmingham in 1822 and we’re about to move to a new facility that will embody the ideals of practise-based education and last us well into the next 100 years.”
Professor Cliff Allan, Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University, commented: “We’re moving from a traditional setting to a fantastic new campus which will bring our Art, Design and Media disciplines together to collide, interact, innovate and create fresh ideas.

BCU VC Prof Cliff Allan

“Our new media facilities will offer the largest concentration of TV and radio production studio space between here, London and the North West.

“Employers want graduates with cross-disciplinary skills, and Parkside will deliver just that. It’s also going to be a fantastic landmark for the city because we’ll be able to present much more of what we do to the public.”
Peter Douglas-Osborn, Conservative Councillor for Weoley Ward, added: “When you go to China or South America there is a clear recognition that education in Birmingham is amongst the best in the world. People now understand the concept of ‘whole-life’ education and the new Parkside Building will offer opportunities for everyone.”

Francesca Neale, Fashion Design for Performance student shows her Edwardian era-influenced bridal hybrid