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University of Sussex – The Campus

Sir Basil Spence designed the campus, and in the village of Falmer is where it is located. It is accessed by vehicle from the A27. The University is situated near Sussex Downs, and this influenced Spence to design the campus. A few of the buildings on the Campus were designed by Spence to exemplify other objects. For instance, the Arts building with its unusual concrete entrance imitates rugby posts. Falmer house itself has the shape of a camera. Two protruding appendages made of concrete represent the flash of the camera.

Looking at the campus from the air, it looks like a sitting cat, and this can be seen on copies of the map. The designs that Spence represented were highly appreciated in the community of architecture, and many of the buildings on the campus have won awards. The Flamer House was inspired by The Gatehouse and it won a bronze medal from the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). The Civic Trust award was given to The Meeting House in 1969. In 1993, listed building status was given to all the buildings responsible for making up the core of Spence’s designs. Falmer House was the only building out of two buildings that was given the first grade status when it came to “interest”.

A stand-out building, The Meeting House, is responsible for catering the needs – religiously – of those involved in the student body. The construction of The Meeting House was the plan for the university, but it only took effect after Lady and Sir Caffyn donated to the construction.