The recent expansion of Leeds Arts University has created a vibrant new hub for students, centred around a two-storey Café Extension and Teaching Space that offers both enhanced social areas and cutting-edge facilities.

Client: R.G. Carter Construction Limited
Year: 2025

Alongside the new food court, specialist studios and Ensemble rooms, sustainability has been a driving force throughout the development. The introduction of a bio-solar green roof, living green wall and extensive PV arrays demonstrates the University’s commitment to its environmental targets, and the new cycle parking shelter designed and installed by Broxap plays a key role in supporting these ambitions.

Broxap was commissioned to design, manufacture and install a custom New Forest Cycle Shelter to align with the university’s focus on biodiversity and sustainability.

The shelter combines treated softwood timber and a galvanised steel frame, creating a robust structure with a natural aesthetic that complements the campus environment. Mesh side panels and gate cladding ensure durability while maintaining visibility and airflow, and the addition of a Hasp & Staple gate locking mechanism provides secure access for students and staff storing their bicycles.

The roof of the shelter is one of its standout features. Clad with a living green sedum system, it includes a 40mm growth substrate laid over a waterproof membrane, ensuring longevity and high performance.

This living roof enhances the visual appeal of the cycle shelter and contributes to biodiversity on campus, supporting pollinators and managing rainwater sustainably. It reflects the same eco-conscious design principles applied throughout Leeds Arts University’s wider development.

Inside the shelter, our Senior Sheffield Cycle Stands have been installed, providing a total capacity for 24 bicycles. The racks, finished in galvanised steel, offer long-lasting protection against corrosion and provide a simple, effective solution for everyday cycle storage.

Together with the secure gated access, the racks ensure that cyclists can park with confidence, encouraging greater uptake of sustainable travel to the university.