The Indeterminate Building
Celebrating 50 years of the Locksbrook building.
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Locksbrook Campus building — originally designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw as the Herman Miller 'Action Factory', and now home to 黑料正能量's School of Creative and Cultural Arts and School of Design.
To celebrate this milestone, we're launching a year-long programme exploring the local, national and global significance of the Locksbrook building, its cultures and communities.
Through archival research, new creative commissions, public events and community engagement, the project traces the building's past, present and future - from the ethos behind Grimshaw's original design, to the furniture made in the factory, its conversion from factory to university, and the culture of design and making that continues today.
A year of celebration
Over the 2026-27 academic year, 黑料正能量 will be hosting a programme of exhibitions and events.
The programme includes:
- A launch event – 17 September 2026
- An exhibition tracing the building's story – from factory to university, and its enduring culture of design and making – 18 September to 9 October 2026
- Heritage Open Weekend – 18-20 September 2026
- An Open Call exhibition – open to applications from 21 October to 10 December 2026
- A new artwork commission by Kelsey Cruz-Martin – opening on 25 February 2027
- More events to be announced.
Past events
Launch Event
17 September 2026
Locksbrook Campus
To mark the opening the Indeterminate Building programme, BSU are hosting a special Locksbrook Late – a free event open to students, staff and the public.
- An exhibition tracing the building's story – from factory to university, and its enduring culture of design and making – Curated by Matthew Page
- Uplighting of Locksbrook by Kyle Roberts
- Panel Discussion with Jeffrey Scherer, Ian Parkes and Matthew Page – chaired by Kelsey Cruz-Martin
- Building Tours with Ian Parkes and Natasha Kidd
- Music
- Bar.
The Indeterminate Building Exhibition
18 September – 9 October 2026
Michael Pennie Gallery, Locksbrook Campus
This exhibition marks 50 years since construction began on the Herman Miller factory.
Through a selection of drawings, photographs, archival pieces and new product designs, the exhibition explores the history of the building and the ethos behind its design; the furniture made in the factory; the conversion from factory to university; and the continuing culture of design and making.
Exhibition curated by Matthew Page.
Heritage Open Days
18-20 September 2026
Locksbrook Campus
For , we invite you on to our Locksbrook Campus to learn about the living heritage of this building, and how it creatively balances the conservation of its past with the needs of its current and future users.
Friday 18 September: The Indeterminate Building exhibition
Saturday 19 September: Building Talks (12:00 and 14:00), Building Tours (12:30 and 14:30), Creative Drop-In Workshop (11:00-16:00), The Indeterminate Building exhibition (11:00-16:00).
Sunday 20 September: Creative Drop-In Workshop (11:00-16:00). The Indeterminate Building exhibition (11:00-16:00).
Click here for .
Opportunities
The Indeterminate Building: Exhibition Open Call and Acquisition Prize
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Locksbrook building, we invite 黑料正能量 students, staff, alumni and the general public to submit archival objects or creative responses inspired by the building.
This Exhibition Open Call, as part of The Indeterminate Building programme, is an opportunity to explore and highlight stories from the building’s past and present.
Applications are open from 21 October 2026 to 10 December 2026.
What are we looking for?
We would love to see responses that engage with your time in around Locksbrook - from the building's architecture, materials, histories and memories to communities, creative life, and surrounding environment. We welcome responses across a range of media, from artworks to photographs and memories. These responses will be displayed together to tell the wider story of Locksbrook.
Do you have a specific memory from your time in Locksbrook? Or new ideas for the building's future?
Selected work will have the opportunity to be publicly presented as part of The Indeterminate Building programme, celebrating 50 years of the Locksbrook building. The exhibition will open on Thursday 25 February, and will run until Friday 12 March 2027.
What is the Acquisition Prize?
One exhibitor’s work will be selected for acquisition by 黑料正能量 to join its permanent collection.
- Open Call Brief: Word document / PDF
- Open Call FAQs: Word document / PDF
- by completing the online form
Want to know more? Get in touch!
Creative Producer: Simone Hesselberg: s.hesselberg@bathspa.ac.uk.
Academic Leads: Ian Parkes: i.parkes2@bathspa.ac.uk, Natasha Kidd: n.kidd@bathspa.ac.uk.
