The building is designed to be environmentally sensitive maximising the use of natural ventilation and using local natural materials. The Student Gateway is intended to be the new flagship building for the Lancaster Campus when the College becomes the University of Cumbria, and has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.

It is designed to create and act as the focal point on the Lancaster campus for all student welfare services (570m2), a new central campus catering outlet (1100m2) and office accommodation for 70 persons (280m2).