US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DELIVERS HISTORIC KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT ULSTER UNIVERSITY’S BELFAST CAMPUS
11 April 2023
The President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr, delivered his historic keynote address at Ulster University’s Belfast Campus, designed by FCBStudios, on 12 April 2023 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Joe Biden reflected on the impact it has had on him to see the new Ulster University building: “Thank you for hosting us today at this beautiful new Campus of Ulster University. It is good to see Belfast city alive with commerce, art, and inspiration, the dividends of peace are all around us. Where barbed wire once sliced up the city, today we find glass letting the light shine in and out, it has profound impact. Testament to powers and possibilities of peace“.
Sam Tyler, Partner at FCBStudios said: “Our design for Ulster University’s Belfast Campus delivers innovative education space for the 21st century and connects the heart of the city to the surrounding communities.
The 75,000 m2 campus is designed with publicly accessible lower floors to create a community asset and act as an engine for improving access to Higher Education. The buildings house four faculties, administration, high-tech labs, art studios, library, offices, catering and teaching space connected by a web of social learning environments. The sculptural architecture, clad in brick and glass, is inspired by the city’s industrial heritage and connects the occupants to the surrounding townscape, mountains and lough.
This grand civic building is designed to encourage connections between academics, students, industry, communities and Belfast’s spectacular natural setting.”
This new campus is one of the great success stories of peace in Northern Ireland and prompts the city to look forward to openness, and investment in people and growth.
Click here to rewatch the President's keynote address