Centenary Building – University of Southampton

Scope & Specifications (IT / Networking)

Here are the key elements of the network / comms infrastructure you provided, adapted into a narrative for the case study:

Cable brand and structured cabling:
- 1,110 × CAT6a FFTP (shielded) Commscope data outlets.
- Cable brand: CommScope.
Rack / cabinet locations:
- Stated: 4 × cabinet locations.
- 10 × Ortronic MightyMo communications racks.
Fibre network:
- Internal single-mode blown-fibre ring.
- External blown fibre links.
WLAN deployment:
- 144 × Cisco C3802i/e access points.
LAN deployment:
- Cisco C9300 switches & professional services.
Wireless solution designed and deployed: 3-part wireless survey process.
Design & build timeframe outside of your control (you note this in your introduction).
Installation standard and customer satisfaction: special mention to BAM Construction for coordination and delivery.

Design & Build Highlights

The Centenary Building provides a new flexible teaching & learning hub for the university, replacing older facilities and significantly upgrading student experience.
The building features multiple lecture theatres (including a 250-seat main theatre and a 100-seat “Harvard” style theatre) plus flat-floor teaching spaces, seminar rooms, group study pods, and seminar / breakout zones.

Outcomes & Benefits

The infrastructure enables high-density wired and wireless connectivity across the building: enabling modern teaching methods, student collaboration, digital resources, and flexible learning spaces.

The fibre ring and blown fibre links provide future-proof backbone capacity.

The CAT6a network outlets across large teaching zones support both staff, student devices and AV systems (lecture theatres, seminar rooms, etc).

The wireless deployment (144 APs) supports mobility, large-group teaching, open study zones, and high throughput for a modern university environment.

With the building being awarded the RIBA South Award, the technical infrastructure underpins the architectural and educational quality of the building.

The delivery on time (within the 10 month build window) demonstrates capability in fast-track infrastructure deployment in a major construction project.

Lessons & Key Takeaways

Early involvement in the project allowed alignment with the architectural and AV/IT design team: specification of cabling, racks, fibre early gave better coordination.

Close coordination with the main contractor (BAM) and other trades is crucial when working to a tight build window (10 months) to avoid delays and clashes.

Use of blown-fibre technology and future-proof cabling (CAT6a, single-mode fibre) ensured the network supports both present and future demands.

Wireless deployment in modern teaching-focused buildings requires robust survey and planning: the 3-part wireless survey process allowed you to model coverage, capacity and interference in complex teaching/learning spaces.

Client satisfaction and rigorous installation standard (cabling discipline, labelling, documentation) are key for post-handover success.

Summary

The Centenary Building at the University of Southampton exemplifies a modern flagship teaching facility, delivered in a tight timeframe, with high quality architectural and technological infrastructure.

SceptreNet’s role in designing and installing the cabling, fibre backbone, wired & wireless LAN/WLAN infrastructure has been a fundamental component in the project’s success. The building now offers high-capacity network connectivity, flexible learning spaces, and future-proof infrastructure – reinforcing the university’s mission and enhancing student experience.