Retractable, on-demand power units from Pop Up Power Supplies® will provide power connectivity to maximise the functionality, flexibility and appeal of the outdoor spaces on Liverpool John Moores University’s new £64m Copperas Hill campus.

The 36,000 sq. m development in the heart of Liverpool is situated at the entrance to the Knowledge Quarter, close to Lime Street Station. Designed by BDP, the project transforms a disused site to create a state-of-the-art new Sports Building and a five-storey Student Life Building.

This will house a range of student-facing services, including advice and wellbeing services, careers advice, international exchanges, an area for individual and group study, the Students’ Union (JMSU) and general teaching spaces.

The buildings are linked together by a sweeping curved architectural façade, surrounded by attractive open spaces across a three and a half acre site. Delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction, the gateway site will connect the university’s other City Centre and Mount Pleasant campuses.

Key to the scheme is the landscaping and public realm, which is designed to respond to the architectural geometry of the buildings with ‘a distinctive design that creates a unique identity for this major new development’, according to the project’s landscape architects Gillespies.

It has designed the outdoor spaces to feature distinctive paving and bespoke artwork benches, highlighting the transition into the university estate, with a continuous curved public pathway that draws pedestrians into and across the campus.

These outdoor areas are strategically located across the site to allow for outdoor learning, multiple events, performances and exhibitions. The spaces also respond to the building entrances from where the activity will naturally spread, providing multi-functional spaces to support student life.

Break-out spaces are included in the form of open lawn areas and informal seating spaces where students can relax, meet friends and study in the open air.

In order to give maximum functionality to these outdoor spaces, three pop up power units have been installed across the Copperas Hill campus.

The PUPS05 units are submerged in the ground until access is to electricity is required, for purposes such as food and retail stalls, live performances and AV equipment. At this point, the units can be raised from the ground using a simple turning handle and power sockets are then available for users to plug-in – after use, the units are retracted in the same way and locked into position until they are needed again.

The PUPS05 unit is a versatile unit that typically allows for between 6-8 sockets and it blends seamlessly into its location thanks to a recessed lid that accommodates the surrounding surface materials. It is one of six options in the range of retractable units available from Pop Up Power Supplies® designed for every outdoor application.

Find out more here.