Falmer moat

After two decades of standing empty, the moat within the courtyard of Falmer House has been refilled, heralding a return to the original design of the building. This significant restoration has been spearheaded by Estates’ colleagues, who are now maintaining the moat using sustainable and natural methods.  

The team is trialing different treatments to find the most effective and sustainable solution to keep the moat up and running. As part of the regular maintenance process, the moat is currently being emptied and cleaned before being refilled in time for the new academic year. Algae is a common issue in standing bodies of water and its presence prevented the filling of the moat for a long period. To address this issue, the Estates team has implemented eco-friendly methods, such as using natural dyes to prevent algae growth without causing harm to the surrounding environment. As a result, the moat needs emptying and refilling less frequently, conserving water.  

Falmer House, a Grade I listed building, is central to the University's architectural identity. The moats were designed collaboratively by campus architect Sir Basil Spence to reflect the light and shadow created by the modernist structure of the building.

Lecturer in Art History, Alistair Grant, said: “It’s exciting for staff and students who throughout their time at Sussex have only known the Falmer House moat to be empty.

''The moats were intrinsic to Sir Basil Spence and Dame Sylvia Crowe’s landscape architecture in the design masterplan of the campus and have an important historical significance.”

In addition to the current moat there was also once a large rectangular moat extending into Library Square from Falmer House, which was filled in and grassed over around the turn of the century. Recent focus on restoring areas of the campus has also involved maintaining the Meeting House moat, which is also undergoing trials to restore it to its original state.   

As the Estates team continues to explore innovative ways of improving the campus, the ongoing refilling and maintenance of both moats marks a significant step in preserving Sussex’s rich architectural heritage.