The 'Pod'

The Pod forms the distinctive centerpiece of The Spark at Solent University in Southampton. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the structure draws on the region’s maritime heritage and the university’s connection to the maritime industry, combining shipbuilding techniques with architectural and structural engineering.

Raised approximately 14 meters above ground on slender steel columns, the Pod contains an 80-seat lecture theatre with a flexible social space above. Its sculptural shell is constructed from 10 mm thick steel plate and finished in a distinctive Ferrari red, creating a strong visual focal point within the university campus.

Working in close collaboration with Scott Brownrigg, CIG was responsible for the engineering, production, and on-site installation of the Pod’s complex 3D-curved panels. The steel shell was fully manufactured off-site at CIG’s facility in Groningen before being transported to Southampton for installation, applying our shipbuilding knowledge and 3D forming expertise to the architectural structure.

Ten years after the opening of The Spark, the project was shortlisted for the Building Resilience: Buildings That Have Stood the Test of Time Award at the Education Estates Awards 2026, recognizing its continued contribution to the university and wider community.