The creative spaces newly opened at Falmouth University have won the highest praise from students and staff. 

All signage and interior concepts for the Launchpad building and the Creative Bridge on the Penryn Campus were designed, manufactured and installed by 20/20 Projects, based in Falmouth. 

The Launchpad building is home to the University’s ground-breaking business incubation and acceleration programme.  

“What 20/20 has created for us is a place that makes me happy to go to work every day,” says Adrian Ruiz-Langan, games technology coach at Launchpad.

“They have managed to make a huge open space feel inviting and the perfect environment for our eighty-strong cohort.  

“With breakout and private spaces carefully interwoven through the open plan building, we are able to work on the go and adapt to wherever the day takes us. My favourite spot is our diner-booth style meeting space.” 

The programme brings together teams of highly skilled software, creative digital and business minds, to develop high-growth, high-value digital companies to meet identified market demand in only 12 months.

The teams do that in collaboration with business partners, which have so far included Amazon, the BBC and Sony Interactive Entertainment.  

Funded by the ERDF, Cornwall Council and the University, the programme is designed to foster a digital economy in Cornwall, creating high-value jobs, attracting investment and driving growth. 

 “We’ve had the privilege of working with the university for more than a decade,” said 20/20’s founder and MD Jaimie Sibert, “designing inspiring spaces like the Penryn Campus’ Creative Bridge building and Fox Atrium on the Falmouth Campus, as well as the iconic Falmouth University signage and graphics of which we are very proud.  

“Once again, with Launchpad and the Creative Bridge, the university has given our design team the scope to create the most effective, engaging and inspiring spaces possible – spaces which reflect the innovation and creativity at the centre of everything they do.” 

20/20 worked closely with the Launchpad and university teams to bring the new buildings to life – from concept designs, through to technical specifications of finishes, furniture, fixtures and signage to offer the function and connectivity that the high-tech spaces required.  

Fresh, vibrant colour schemes and finishes inspire creativity and add to the energy of the spaces, while planned features provide opportunities for spontaneous and informal collaboration among those using them. 

As a student on the Launchpad programme Tanuvi Ethunandan is working as co-founder of Data Duopoly - a business in the tourism sector - while gaining a degree at the same time: “Launchpad is a really lovely building to work in,” she said. 

“The open areas help foster collaboration between teams and the window wall is fabulous to enjoy the view.”  

Professor Anne Carlisle OBE, vice-chancellor of Falmouth University, said: “We are immensely proud of the incredible facilities and inspirational spaces we have on our campuses.

"The aim of these new buildings is to create environments where people from across the University can come to collaborate, share new ideas and innovate.

"Now, I am pleased to see every day how these environments facilitate the type of working that enables our students, researchers and colleagues to work together, to deliver real impact.”