The Brunel Engine Shed is a grade-II listed former railway station and goods shed in the centre of High Wycombe. Designed in the 19^th century by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and retaining many of its original features, the building is rich with character and exhibits a craftmanship typical of its period.

Buckinghamshire Council undertook an extensive refurbishment and extension to the building over the years 2019-22, before transferring the lease to Buckinghamshire New University. The building is set to be open to the public as the university’s flagship building, housing an exhibition space, café and flexible workspaces for the community and local businesses. It is intended to form a gateway to the town, welcoming visitors from the adjacent train station and providing aninstant visual cue to the town’s industrial heritage.

Useful Studio have been commissioned as lead designer for the final phase of the works, which include minor alterations to the building’s envelope and a full interior fit-out with a particular focus on circular and natural materials, complementing the original building’s honest contruction and appearance.

The university are committed to a high performing environmental project with aspirations for achieving SKA Gold, by embedding circular principles in the fit-out and operations. Working closely with services engineers Works Seven, a passive ventilation strategy has been developed which will significantly reduce the building’s operational carbon and mitigate the potential for cluttered servicing in the exposed soffit and original trusses.