New Student Centre Design and Access Statement
June 2015 UCL - New Student Centre
Design and Access Statement June 2015
Contributors:
Client Team UCL Estates Architect Nicholas Hare Architects Project Manager Mace Energy and Sustainability Expedition Services Engineer BDP Structural and Civil Engineer Curtins Landscape Architect Colour UDL Cost Manager Aecom CDM Coordinator Faithful & Gould Planning Consultant Deloitte Lighting BDP Acoustics BDP Fire Engineering Arup
Note: this report has been formatted as a double-sided A3 document. CONTENTS
DESIGN ACCESS
1. INTRODUCTION 10. THE ACCESS STATEMENT Project background and objectives Access requirements for the users Statement of intent 2. SITE CONTEXT - THE BLOOMSBURY MASTERPLAN Sources of guidance The UCL masterplan Access consultations Planning context 11. SITE ACCESS 3. RESPONSE TO CONSULTATIONS Pedestrian access Access for cyclists 4. THE BRIEF Access for cars and emergency vehicles The aspirational brief Servicing access Building function Access 12. USING THE BUILDING Building entrances 5. SITE CONTEXT Reception/lobby areas Conservation area context Horizontal movement The site Vertical movement Means of escape 6. INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE SITE Building accommodation Internal doors 7. PROPOSALS Fixtures and fittings Use and amount Information and signage Routes and levels External connections Scale and form Roofscape Materials Internal arrangement External areas
8. INTERFACE WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS
9. SUSTAINABILITY
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 1 Aerial view from the north with the site highlighted in red DESIGN 1. INTRODUCTION
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of a Design and Access Statement is to set out the “The vision is to make UCL the most exciting university in the world at thinking that has resulted in the design submitted in the planning which to study and work. UCL aims to be the UK’s leading outward- application. It explains how the building’s massing, layout and ap- looking university, making a major contribution to the society in which pearance has developed in response to the demands of its particu- we function and enhancing the lives of our students. The New Student lar context and brief, and how the resulting building will be easy to Centre must support and reflect this scale of ambition and will be the use and navigate by everyone. benchmark for excellence for all future UCL construction projects and it should have the highest design, quality, sustainability and procurement This Design and Access Statement has been prepared in accor- approach. It should enhance the student experience and create a new dance with CABE guidance, both in terms of its structure and in and exciting student experience at UCL. The design must be sensitive reflecting CABE’s feedback in the development of the design. to the surrounding built environment, in particular the adjacent listed buildings and Bloomsbury Conservation Area, while staying true to the ambition of UCL to create a ‘landmark’ building and be London’s Global University.” Extract from UCL’s New Student Centre project description
This report sets out the basis of the design strategy for the New Student Centre, developed following the selection of Nicholas Hare Architects (NHA) to lead the design of the project. NHA’s work commenced in early September 2014. The development by others of a previous scheme for a building on the site has led to a good understanding of the objectives and opportunities. Better strategic definition for the project has now developed; the design team and UCL have established a clear brief and a design approach that aims to create an outstanding New Student Centre on the site.
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 3 DESIGN 2. SITE CONTEXT - THE BLOOMSBURY MASTERPLAN
THE UCL MASTERPLAN In 2011 UCL commissioned a masterplan for its Bloomsbury Campus that aims to shape the development of the university’s academic, social and urban environment. I'---'"::---
Gower Place The development of the Student Centre design has been informed by the key objectives of this masterplan: • To improve the quality, range and flexibility of the facilities and learning spaces on offer. • To reflect the outstanding academic record of UCL through the quality of its built environment. • To raise the public visibility of the University by means of buildings that more obviously communicate the activities UCL undertaken within. • To enhance the day-to-day experience of the University’s public realm, increasing the permeability of the campus. Gordon Street The UCL masterplan identifies a number of particular challenges Street Taviton for Gordon Street. These are summarised below: � 0 • Lack of UCL identity; Gower Street • Little physical or visual interaction between buildings and street,
with blank facades and limited street entrances; ..I • Lack of connection with other parts of the campus; • Low-rise and empty sites forming a break to the street façade
and undermining the high-density development of the rest of Gordon Square the street; and • Low-quality appearance by comparison to the rest of the Bloomsbury campus. ,-=-----_J The Bloomsbury Masterplan identifies the site between 26 Gordon Square and 15 Gordon Street for a New Student Centre. The , \ �'- ...! TORRINGTON PLACE delivery of this project is central to delivering the Masterplan vision. Torrington Place ....,,----] N
Illustration from the Bloomsbury Masterplan - site to be developed extends across the Japanese Garden and includes the ACBE plantroom and Bloomsbury ‘Node’
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 4 PLANNING CONTEXT The site is located at the heart of the UCL Bloomsbury Campus, adjacent to the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Wilkins Building. The site is vacant, having been cleared following bomb damage during the Second World War. An east-west access route from Gordon Street to Gower Street runs through the site, along with a north- south route connecting a number of UCL departments.
The site has been allocated for development for university, edu- cation, cultural and/or community related ancillary uses in the adopted version of the Site Allocations DPD (SADPD). The full site allocation (Site 22) states that development will be expected to: • Integrate development with associated development and improvements within and adjoining the UCL campus and assist providing a more legible entrance to UCL; • Create an improved pedestrian entrance into the university campus; • Support opportunities for activities and spaces encouraging public access; • Safeguard the setting of nearby listed buildings; • Provide infrastructure for supporting local energy generation on site and/or connections to existing or future networks where feasible; and • Safeguard the future construction of the Chelsea-Hackney line.
There are two recent planning permissions for the site. In 2004, permission was granted (2004/4090/P) for the erection of a six-sto- rey infill building with three basement levels to provide a museum gallery, lecture theatres and associated facilities for UCL. In 2006, a revised planning application (2006/2435/P) was granted permission, which approved design changes to the external envelope, additional bulk at roof level and the inclusion of a chimney. Both permissions have been implemented through minor works and demolition on site. Another scheme for the site was developed in 2012-2013 but was not progressed to a planning application. Photos looking towards the site
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PERCY MEWS BOOTH'S PLACE This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey BARTER STREET Conservation area plans with site identified in blue on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Bloomsbury CA Sub Area 3 Townscape Appraisal Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. (Licence Number: 100019726) (Year: 2009). Print Date: 26/11/2010
• Scale 1: Not Usable Scale Printed By: L.Small Map Ref No: c08082
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 6 View of the New Student Centre across Gordon Square
2899_1305 version 150511 UCL Gordon Street [Planning] | Gordon Square Gardens, central footpath - Proposed UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 7 DESIGN 3. RESPONSE TO CONSULTATIONS
Public displays UCL stakeholders Public organisations There have been two public exhibitions held in the Wilkins Terrace Consultations have continued with representatives of neighbouring The following meetings have taken place with the Local Planning Cloisters, in March 2015 in the South Cloister, and in May 2015 buildings, including the Bernard Katz Building, ACBE, Bloomsbury Authority and associated public organisations: in the North Cloister. The team displayed plans and images of the Theatre and the gym, together with teams dealing with other UCL - London Borough of Camden Planning (LBC) proposals and received useful and encouraging feedback from staff campus projects which may affect or be affected by the project (Pre-application meetings held in December 2014, March 2015 and students at both sessions. objectives. and April 2015) - LBC Highways (January and February 2015) UCL users There have also been a number of consultations with key UCL - LBC Access (April and May 2015) The design has been developed through a regular and constructive stakeholders with an interest in either the operation and / or - LBC Sustainability (April 2015) series of workshop, review and reporting sessions with representa- maintenance of the building. These include sustainability, security, - Historic England (January and April 2015) tives of Learning Environments and Student Services. A series of catering, EM&I, fire safety, Central Campus, accessibility, maintenance - Bloomsbury CAAC (February and May 2015) precedent visits has also been undertaken to help establish shared and window cleaning. - CABE (March 2015) aspirations for the building. - Metropolitan Police (May 2015)
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 8 Several key points emerged as a result of these consultations, which have informed the development of the design from its earliest stages: • The location of this building within the unique townscape of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area demands architecture of the highest quality. • It is critical to provide clear links through the building from Gordon Street to the courtyard, with a strong sense of perme- ability through the site. • The design of the east elevation and the planning of the internal spaces beyond should work to enhance the animation of Gordon Street. • It is important that the main building entrance and the adjacent vehicle portal are welcoming and appropriate in scale. • The resolution of the junction with 26 Gordon Square should be carefully considered to enhance the views from the south and across the Square • The landscaping of the Japanese Garden should aim to create a green, unique and contemplative oasis in the heart of the campus. • Well thought out junctions with existing buildings are required to form a strong and coherent whole to the elevation facing the Japanese Garden, and the use of a colonnade or cloister should be explored in this area. • Plant at roof level should be minimised, though adding interest to the roofscape through the massing at roof level is welcomed. • There is an opportunity to add attractive and useful open space at roof level. • A strong focus on sustainability should be maintained, though the detailed design of shading devices should ensure bright, airy spaces are not compromised by overheating. • It is desirable to demolish the ‘Node’ if the plant it contains can be relocated unobtrusively.
Cut-away view of the New Student Centre in context
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 9 DESIGN 4. THE BRIEF
THE ASPIRATIONAL BRIEF “This is a unique opportunity for UCL to demonstrate its core values. The building should be truly student focused, responsive to change, inspirational and enabling, capable of reinventing itself as trends in education develop, accessible and inclusive to all, and reflecting the diversity of its users. It is not a building that people should be in awe of but want to be part of – the architecture should be easy to read and use, memorable by the experience that it provides. It should be an exemplar for other universities worldwide.”
“The building must be of the highest quality finish, focusing on longevity (both durable, timeless and with careful management with regard to acoustics) and ease of maintenance. It is to be an intensively used environment that will have a lot of scene changes. The infrastructure must be planned to provide technology, AV and power / data with ease and reliability and high standards of acoustic performance are essential. The Environmental Strategy should reflect the range of capacities that the building will accommodate through an academic year / day and demonstrate latest thinking in resource efficiency and promotion of sustainable behaviours through the design.” Extracts from UCL’s New Student Centre project description
The New Student Centre project demonstrates UCL’s commit- Learning environments solutions that are flexible, adaptable, and IT resourced, with effec- ment to students, providing outstanding facilities that enhance UCL has a pressing need for new student study spaces, and this is tive power provision. The learning environments occupy the largest the student experience. The brief has developed out of the work supported by data collated by UCL Library Services, UCL Informa- portion of the new building’s area. previously undertaken by UCL for a building on the site, and calls tion Services Department (ISD), and from the National Student for a highly sustainable new building that is distinctive, with excep- Survey. Students describe UCL’s learning spaces as inadequate, Student Enquiries Centre tional design quality, reflecting UCL’s global significance whilst not along with identifying dissatisfaction at IT provision, and a lack of Operated by a team of UCL Student and Registry Services (SRS) appearing elitist. It should be a building that is accessible, inclusive, access to computers. staff, the Student Enquiries Centre has a ‘customer-facing’ service and welcoming. desk providing a comprehensive enquiry point for students. The The New Student Centre will help rebalance these perceived team of up to 20 staff operate between the front desk and a ‘back- BUILDING FUNCTION issues, through providing a variety of learning spaces: 1000no. new office’ area dealing with phone / email enquiries. Co-located with In essence, the purpose of the building is to provide two core ‘seats’ for studying is the stated aim. The spaces vary in character the enquiries centre are a number of small consultation rooms for functions: student learning environments, and a Student Enquiries and size, creating different settings for individual study and group more private discussions, as well as an area dedicated to self-service Centre, both of which will enhance the student experience at UCL. collaboration, as well as more social learning environments. Dedi- and information points. cated to the needs of the students, these are spaces and furniture
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 10 Other brief requirements In addition to and supporting these two core functions, the fol- lowing spaces and requirements also form part of the brief for the building:
• A welcoming reception point for students, the public and visi- tors, combined with a security presence. • A lightly serviced café, essentially providing coffee and sandwiches. • A Quiet Contemplation Room/Multi-faith Centre - a flexible space for prayer and meditation, including chaplaincy and pastoral support. • Space for displays and pop-up exhibitions, ideally forming part of the publically accessible spaces at ground level. • Cycle storage and associated facilities. • Staff support facilities. • Storage for laptops and personal belongings at each level. • Waste and recycling facilities.
ACCESS As stated in the UCL masterplan, a key objective for this scheme is to improve and encourage access through the site to the wider campus beyond. The ground floor levels are completely open to the general public as well as students, with security barriers only restricting access to upper and basement levels. Good levels of daylight and transparency throughout will help those unfamiliar with the building to find their way around, and all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure those with disabilities can make full use of the facilities.
Consideration has been given to access for deliveries and emer- gency services, as well as accommodating pedestrian and vehicular traffic flows.
The means by which the design aims to accommodate these require- ments are described in more detail within the Access Statement on p43. View of fourth floor study space looking west
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 11 DESIGN 5. SITE CONTEXT
CONSERVATION AREA CONTEXT The site is a largely vacant plot on Gordon Street, between 26 Gordon Square and the Bloomsbury Theatre. The site is defined by Gordon Street to the east, the Bloomsbury Theatre to the north, the Japanese Garden and Bernard Katz Building to the west, and Grade II listed terraced houses from the 1800s to the south. The Grade 1 listed Wilkins Building sits to the west, flanking two sides of the Japanese Garden. All of the buildings directly adjacent to the site are owned by UCL.
The urban landscape of this part of Gordon Street varies. The 1960’s Bloomsbury Theatre dominates with the imposing bulk of its attic story, partnered by the robustness of UCL’s concrete Chemistry building on the other side of the road, built around the same time. Further north, the screened façade to the London Centre for Nanotechnology offers a similar scale.
Further south, the listed terraces on Gordon Square offer something more refined in scale, establishing a sense of engage- ment through their articulation. The site for the New Student Centre currently provides the punctuation between these contrasting styles and scales, giving an opportunity to create something unique, distinctive, rich and rewarding, a building that engages with the street and the public, reflecting its point of interplay between UCL and the world.
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 12 THE SITE The Gordon Street entrance sits at approximately 1.5m above the The project scope includes re-inventing the landscape of the Japanese The site is a portal to UCL’s Bloomsbury campus. It provides an level of the Bernard Katz Building entrance and Wilkins Building Garden. The eastern section of this courtyard space is currently essential and busy access point for pedestrians, emergency services, lower ground floor, and approximately 2.5m below the level of the occupied by the ACBE plant room, a pitched-roofed single-storey and deliveries. The new building must be fully accessible and contin- Japanese Garden. building containing air-conditioning plant to serve the laboratory ue to meet these circulation demands: these include primary routes spaces beneath. Any new link between Gordon Street and the into and through the new building at the Gordon Street entrance, The ‘Node’ (the Bloomsbury Theatre stair tower) currently stands Japanese Garden would be greatly impeded by this structure, and and by the Bernard Katz Building, and essential connections through behind the Bloomsbury Theatre, abutting the Japanese Garden. It thus it is proposed that it is also demolished with the plant it contains to the refectory and the lower ground floor of the Wilkins Build- contains stairs, WCs and servicing plant for the theatre. However relocated to the basement of the New Student Centre. ing. In addition, the new building will establish a direct route to the this structure presents significant functional and aesthetic challenges Japanese Garden and the Wilkins Building ground floor. for the development of the campus as a whole, and the design The proposed demolition of these two buildings is described in for the New Student Centre in particular. This being the case, it is further detail in section 8. proposed that it should be demolished.
Japanese Garden level Gordon Street level Lower ground level Section from the main Quad through the site to the far side of Gordon Street
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 13 DESIGN 6. INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE SITE
The building is intended to be inviting, legible and publicly accessible Internally, the building comprises two floor plates separated by a at its ground floor levels, encouraging people to enter without day-lit atrium rising for the height of the building, with bridges and feeling constrained. Transparency and openness aid navigation and stairs spiralling around the atrium and animating the space. The orientation, and generous space at the street and garden entrances main core (including three passenger lifts) stacks vertically on the will maximise the sense of welcome and accessibility. north side against the Bloomsbury Theatre.
Strategically, the levels of Gordon Street and the Japanese Garden Working with the scale of neighbouring buildings, the New Student extend into the central part of the building, the levels brought Centre has four floors of accommodation above ground level. It together with wide central steps that correspond to the Wilkins provides a refined ‘book-end’ for the adjacent listed terraced houses Building steps in the Main Quad. A direct and covered connection on Gordon Street, but remains visually lower than the Bloomsbury to the Lower Refectory becomes possible beneath the higher Japa- Theatre to the north. The building’s height is set by generous floor- nese Garden level slab. The existing vehicle route to South Quad to-floor heights of 3.9m, providing the basis for creating pleasant needs to be maintained for both daily deliveries and emergency studying environments and allowing good daylight penetration, as well vehicle access; this is most sensibly located to the south of the site. as giving good adaptability for future changes in use.
Ground level diagram showing routes through the building Analysis of the listed terrace elevations to Gordon Square acknowl- edges a vertical rhythm of grids at approximately 7m centres cor- responding to building widths. By coincidence perhaps this pattern continues and aligns with the building grid of the Wilkins Terrace façade to the Japanese Garden behind. This suggests a composition for the New Student Centre elevation that recognises and contin- ues the rhythm, and leads to a structural grid with four large bays of around 7m and a smaller bay of around half the width.
Circulation at upper floor levels
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 14 Diagrams showing the forming of the ground floor by extending the Gordon Street and Japanese Garden levels into the site
Diagrams showing key routes and development of the circulation and structural layout
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 15 Developmental sketches and study of indicative building volume
Gordon Street elevation study
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 16 Early sketch section showing potential disposition of functions within the building
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 17 DESIGN 7. PROPOSALS
USE AND AMOUNT Site area: 0.26 hectares Existing floorspace: ACBE plantroom = 171m2 Node stairs, circulation, toilets & plant = 315m2 Substation adjacent to Theatre = 13m2 Total = 499m2 Total proposed GEA: 6,794m2 Total proposed GIA: 5,838m2
The table below sets out the proposed net internal floorspace at each level.
Study space & main Core areas, plant, WCs, Staff areas (m2) Other (m2) Total (m2) circulaton areas (m2) lifts & escape stairs (m2)
Basement 2 68 409 134 (QCR) 611
Basement 1 290 317 26 633
Street level 326 185 10 521
Garden level 217 177 394
1st floor 210 195 17 294 (Student Enquiries 716 Centre)
2nd floor 557 150 707
3rd floor 402 177 71 (Cafe) 650
4th floor 316 156 472
Total net area 2,386 1,766 53 499 4,704m2
54no. cycle parking spaces are proposed at Street level.
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 18 ROUTES AND LEVELS The routes and changes in level through the ground floors are made easier to navigate by creating lofty day-lit space, the transpar- ency and views through the building offering an extension to the public realm, and giving a sense of engagement with the street. A linear column structure, drawing the eye from Gordon Street to the Japanese Garden, allows the ground floor to feel open and publicly welcoming, the structure supporting the more private UCL learning spaces above.
From the higher Japanese Garden level the steps continue rising to upper floors, establishing a circulation route that spirals up around the day-lit atrium at the heart of the building. The route towards the Bernard Katz Building and the Lower Refectory flows naturally down from the central steps. A platform lift ensures that the three ground floor levels are accessible by all visitors.
Across the Japanese Garden the public route continues over the Café bridge, into the South Cloister and beyond to the Main Quad.
Japanese Garden
Main Gordon Street Refectory entrance Route
View from mezzanine level above Gordon Street entrance Proposed section looking north
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 19 EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS The route for vehicles to gain access to the South Quad is located The route between the Bernard Katz Building and the Lower Refec- close to the listed terraces and designed as a pedestrian route tory runs beneath the new building’s Japanese Garden entrance bridged over by the upper floors of the new building. Maintaining level. This undercover route includes a series of lightboxes along its transparency between this route and the internal ground floor western wall to animate the space and ensure it does not appear as space helps the inclusive sense of pedestrians being part of the a dark corridor. It is lined with high quality, robust materials, as it will building. accommodate significant flows of people and deliveries. It is also seen as a practical space for accommodating cycle storage. Vehicles will use the route only at controlled times, or in emergen- cies. Sliding security gates on the Gordon Street façade maintain a secure line out-of-hours, and are controlled from a manned security point in the space below the escape stairway alongside the listed terrace party wall. Retractable bollards will also be controlled from the same security point.
View along Refectory Route from future Lower Refectory Views of sliding security gates: open and closed
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 20 1 7
0 5
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G F E D C BA G F E D C BA 2266 7200 8100 7200 7530 482 2266 7200 8100 7200 7530 482 Bloomsbury fire escape route
08 08
REPLACEMENT STAIRS AND SPACE FOR BLOOMSBURY THEATRE 4000 4000 10 two-tier cycle stands
07 07 Bloomsbury Theatre Bloomsbury Theatre Bloomsbury's upper floors fire Lightwell escape route 4100 4100
06 06
FIRST AID WC WC COMMS 5 two-tier cycle stands 3100 3100
STORAGE 05 05 STAIR 1
CLEANER CLEANER
LIFTS LIFTS
REFECTORY ROUTE 7200 7200
STAIR 1 Void
RECEPTION Access control STUDY SPACE JAPANESE GARDEN Refer to Landscape Plan L-1363-PRP-001 Access control 04 04
STAIR 3 LOBBY
STAIR 3 ENTRANCE Street Gordon
7200 OPEN STUDY 7200 STAIR 5 SPACE
12 two-tier cycle stands STAIR 5
Access control
03 03 Access control
Void
STAIR 5
7200 STAIR 5 7200
Void
02 02
Bernard Katz Building Bernard Katz Building
RAMP Sliding gates 7200 7200 KEY KEY
Core and staff areas Student services Core and staff areas Student services
Study spaces Replacement stairs and spaces for Bloomsbury Theatre Study spaces Replacement stairs and spaces for Bloomsbury Theatre
01 01 GATEHOUSE Quiet contemplation room/Faith centre External terrace 00 Quiet contemplation room/FaithSTAIR 4 centre External terrace 00 STAIR 4
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UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 21 SCALE AND FORM On Gordon Street, a notional building line is established from the corner of the Bloomsbury Theatre at the north to the corner of 26 Gordon Square to the south, with the elevation to the New Student Centre aligning with the theatre building.
Numerous different arrangements of this fourth bay have been tested as part of the design process: continuing the line of the adjacent three bays; splaying the line of the façade at this point; adding a projecting bay window to the corner. Some of these elevational studies are shown here. It is felt that setting the fourth bay back in line with 26 Gordon Square gives the most successful overall compo- sition and provides a more sensitive junction with the terrace.
Early study model Options for expressing the bay adjacent to 26 Gordon Square
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 22 Developmental studies of the building facades
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 23 At street level the structure establishes a series of framed openings bringing balance and a sense of order and appropriate scale to the street composition. The structural framing to the openings unifies their different functions. Within this framework, three of the four bays are set forward, suggesting some emphasis to the building entrance and shop windows to the UCL campus. The fourth bay, with the pedestrian route into the Campus, steps back and provides a closer alignment with the more diminutive 26 Gordon Square.
At roof level the fourth floor glazing and modular sloping north light roofs appear as distinct elements behind the main façade line. Viewed from the north, their form appears to echo the rhythm of chimney stacks on the listed terrace buildings facing Gordon Square.
View from Gordon Square at around midday Early morning view along Gordon Street from north 2899_1605 version 150512 UCL Gordon Street [Planning] | Gordon Street, north - Proposed
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 24 Approaching the New Student Centre from the south, around From the latter, the entrance into the new building will be immedi- the corner by the Bernard Katz Building, the building appears its ately apparent, made clear by glazing in the building’s flank wall at tallest at effectively five storeys in height. Two connections ‘through’ this ground level. The elevation above is characterised by providing the building are clearly articulated and defined by the structure: glazing up the height of the atrium, which in turn is protected from the slope running up to Gordon Street, and a direct route straight solar gain by a robust solar shading screen that also provides access ahead towards the Lower Refectory. for glass cleaning.
Developmental sketch of the south elevation View of Refectory Route from Katz Corner View of south elevation to Katz Corner
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 25 Extending the cornice line through to the Japanese Garden allows the consistent parapet height that already exists around the other three sides to be maintained, providing a sense of unity to the space. This establishes a predominantly three-storey façade, with the third and fourth floor levels above set back from the building line. Looking from the South Cloister the fourth floor façade will not be visible, whilst the elevation at third floor adopts a finer and more delicate approach that sets it clearly apart from the main el- evation below. Two storeys of learning space appear to float above a transparent storey at ground level. Here the glass is set back behind a colonnade of reconstituted stone columns that provide shade and some weather protection to the benches lining one side.
Developmental studies for the Japanese Garden Japanese Garden facade
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 26 View of the New Student Centre across the Japanese Garden
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 27 ROOFSCAPE The roof structure is designed to articulate and give a sense of ‘lightness’ to the building, and bring generous daylight into the top floor space. Above the study space the angled roof planes provide linear north lights with photovoltaic cells attached to their sloping south surface. The atrium adjacent is topped with a monopitch glazed roof, also with integrated photovoltaic cells, these having the added benefit of providing solar shading to the interior.
Modulating the line of the façade on the Gordon Street side orientates the top floor space towards the trees of Gordon Square; View looking north with roof terrace on the west side, views of the Wilkins Building dome are provided from bay windows with window seats and from the roof terrace proposed at this level.
Beyond the terrace area, and to the east side, are areas of brown / green roof that will enhance biodiversity. It is intended that these areas require very little maintenance.
An external plant enclosure sits immediately above the core. The enclosure is formed with anodised aluminium panels, its height limited to ensure the screen is not visible from the Main Quad. To reduce their visibility, early consultation comments from the plan- ning authority encouraged the design team to relocate the roof level air-handling units that had been proposed at this level. Two new plant decks are now proposed behind the Bloomsbury Theatre for this purpose, with ducted connections to roof level riser open- ings contained within the plant enclosure.
A further array of low profile photovoltaic cells is proposed for the southern end of the Bloomsbury Theatre roof. These will not be visible from street level. Development sketches exploring the street and roof composition
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 28 View of New Student Centre montaged onto aerial view, from west
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 29 Images of materials found elsewhere around the Bloomsbury Campus
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 30 Gordon Square, north-west corner 4
Proposed
6.9 This view is close to the previous view 3 and 2899_1405 provides one of few more direct views of the Gordon Street elevation which will largely be seen in more oblique views looking up and down the street. As noted for view 3, the southern flank elevation of the Bloomsbury Theatre will be almost fully hidden by the
New Student Centre and the continuous char- MATERIALS Some regularity to the pattern of glazing and natural ventilation acter of the streetscape will be repaired. The In general, two building materials broadly define the character of openings allows for flexibility of internal use, and for future adapta- the Bloomsbury Campus: Portland stone, used for example, to tions to the functions within the building. This elevational approach height of the New Student Centre will mediate dress the formal Main Quad and frontage of the Wilkins Building; is carried through to the Japanese Garden and the south-facing between the listed terrace to the south and the and brickwork, usually from a buff colour range, used throughout elevation to Katz Corner, where smaller window openings compen- the informal pattern of buildings and spaces within the campus sate for the greater potential for solar gain on these sides. Theatre building to the north, and the stepped ‘interior’. The immediate context on Gordon Street is less easy to mass will allow the building to be in line with categorise with a mix of brickwork, stucco and render, although buff Brickwork is the predominant material for the Japanese Garden fac- brickwork predominates. ing elevation, with reconstituted stone detailing for cills and copings the Bloomsbury Theatre whilst providing and also the screen of vertical solar shading fins at the third floor an appropriately slender ‘book-end’ to the A palette of robust, self-finished materials is proposed for the New café level and the ground floor colonnade. The theme continues Student Centre. Internally, this will be characterised by using in-situ into the landscaped area where the solid cast benches are topped adjacent listed terrace and its recessed end concrete for the structural frame of the building. Where the struc- with hardwood for seating. tural frame becomes visible at street level, it is constructed from building in particular. The light coloured bu reconstituted stone, a high-quality form of pre-cast concrete. This brickwork and reconstituted stone will clearly will frame the openings at ground level, and provide visible support connect the building visually to the other to the upper levels, clad with brickwork. university buildings which line Gordon Street Within the framework set up by the structure, the upper floors lend themselves to a more refined scale with vertical emphasis. north of here, and which are of a visibly greater This allows for tall, storey height glazing to give deep daylight pen- scale and more varied character and mate- etration into the building, but with controlled width to avoid exces- sive solar gain. The glazing will be fixed in place; between each is a rials. At this closer point, the vertical bays will projecting form that incorporates an opening window for natural visibly relate to the proportions of the adjacent ventilation, the forward projection providing shading to the adjacent glass, as does the deep reveals to the surrounding brickwork that terraced buildings to the south and the slender delineates the structural bays. Externally, a flush grille protects the opening window, with vertical blades in front of horizontal angled bronze-coloured window frames and panels will blades. Window frames and panels have a bronze anodised finish. catch the light and lightly articulate the more solid character of the brick and stone building frame. The pedestrian and vehicular route (for emergency services access and delivery/ maintenance access only) will be delineated Close-up view of proposed Gordon Street elevation Examples of light buff facing brickwork through the recessed position of the southerly most bay, which in turn will serve to distinguish the main entrance at the centre of the north UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 31 part of the building. At roof level, the angled planes covering the north-facing windows will have a slender and dynamic character and will be covered with photovoltaic panels, signal- ling the high quality, modern accommodation within. The New Student Centre will be a high quality addition to this part of Bloomsbury and to the UCL campus, and will be appropriate to its particular position within the streetscape. The significance of the adjacent listed buildings and the Bloomsbury Conservation Area will be enhanced.
Proposed Significance of Proposed Impact: major, beneficial
June 2015 Townscape, Conservation and Visual Impact Assessment New Student Centre, UCL Gordon Street 25 Internally, a simple and refined palette of materials is proposed with few applied finishes. Minimising future maintenance has been a key driver in the selection of robust and durable surfaces, particularly in busy circulation areas. In situ concrete columns, shear walls and soffits will be generally visible internally. The volumes of the main core and second escape stair are to be clad with facing brickwork. Internal partitions will be faced with either vertical timber battens to provide acoustic absorption, or panels of gypsum fibre board with a timber veneer or high-pressure laminate finish.
At the three entrance levels, a solid stone tile is proposed to coordinate with the external floor finishes. Above and below this, timber boards will be used to demarcate the central circulation zone with good quality carpet to the study areas beyond. Facing brick enclosing core volumes Timber batten linings to walls and ceilings to provide acoustic absorption Wide strips of slatted timber ceiling will run either side of the atrium to allow the distribution of services, with timber rafts incorporating lighting fittings suspended from the concrete soffit in study areas.
Terrazzo in core areas Timber faced boards lining study cabin walls
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 32 INTERNAL ARRANGEMENT Public spaces Similar in function to the Cloisters in the Wilkins Building, the ground levels of the New Student Centre provide open flexible space that encourages interaction, space that provides for informal study, exhibitions, displays, and pop-up events. Visitors using the primary entrance from Gordon Street are welcomed at a recep- tion / security desk to the right of this doorway. To the left of the entrance is a study space with fixed perimeter benching by the street glazing and informal seating. Two large latticed screens form semi-transparent dividers in this space and can accommodate artwork, objects, notices and digital displays.
The entry from ‘Katz Corner’, adjacent to the Bernard Katz Build- ing, will lead to a lobby containing the primary stair down to the basement levels. A wide set of stairs and a glass platform level will connect this lower level with the higher main entrance and also the route through to the Japanese Garden.
At the Japanese Garden entrance is a further open space to be used for exhibitions or informal study, from where the spiralling steps continue up around the atrium. Overlooking this area will be a second reception desk for the use of Library Services staff.
The considerable height at the Gordon Street entrance (7.8m floor-to-floor) allows a mezzanine level to be inserted across part of the plan. This provides an opportunity to enhance and further articulate the building on Gordon Street, as well as providing useful and enjoyable internal space.
Access to the upper levels of the building and the basement is restricted to UCL staff and students by access gates controlled by a card reader.
View from Gordon Street entrance
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 33 Upper floors The upper floors of the building are essentially composed of a broadly rectangular floorplate to the east and west side of a central atrium. Placing the building core (lifts, WCs, services risers etc.) to the north side of the atrium provides good orientation for those using the lifts, and allows the south side to remain transparent, providing good visual connectivity with the busy pedestrian route around the Bernard Katz Building.
The Student Enquiries Centre occupies the Gordon Street side of the building at first floor and will be the first space reached at this level. A long service desk will welcome visitors to the Centre, supported by a back office and a series of small consultation rooms for private discussions.
The east side of the building (facing Gordon Street) is wider, and at second and third floors is sufficient for this side to be divided into three zones. Nearest the street, a long, clear space, the ‘long room’, provides a calm learning environment for quiet individual study. To the west of this is a zone of study ‘cabins’ for group working that provide an effective acoustic screen from the busier atrium. The third zone is formed by the wide circulation route that spirals around the atrium, where there is an opportunity for more informal study spaces and workstations.
On the west side of the atrium (facing the Japanese Garden) is a less formal study space for social learning. This part of the building is open to the atrium at first and second floor, so the atmosphere will feel busier, with opportunities for more activity and group collab- orative working.
Study of typical upper floor zoning
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 34 The café is located at the third floor level facing onto more learn- ing study space and the Japanese Garden. This is expected to be a lightly serviced café without cooking facilities, providing coffee and sandwiches rather than hot meals. A glass screen provides acoustic separation between the café and atrium.
The top floor occupants will enjoy good daylight and natural ven- tilation from the continuous north facing rooflights overhead, with generous glazing allowing fine views across the campus and Gordon Square. A further glazed screen separating the atrium will help to minimise noisy intrusion from the main circulation area, and give this space a calm, peaceful atmosphere for quiet study. At this level there will also be a roof terrace accessed from the atrium space.
Study spaces While the building as a whole will offer a wide variety of environ- ments conducive to different kinds of work, three main types of study space are proposed: View of long room at second floor level • Quiet study - space where students can work alone with little or no talking, to allow concentration without distractions. These spaces will have large shared tables and comfortable task chairs with a mixture of fixed computers and open desks equipped for laptop use. • Informal study - space to study in a more relaxed environment as well as to socialise and collaborate with others. There is likely to be a variety of furniture types in these areas, with large group tables, laptop tables, task chairs and sofas offering spaces for both individuals and groups which can be easily rearranged. • Group study - these spaces will allow students to work to- gether in groups of two or more, discussing ideas and working on presentations together. Some group space will be provided by fixed seating booths open to circulation space, but there will also be more traditional ‘meeting rooms’ with acoustic privacy afforded by glazed screens.
View of ground floor study space View of upper floor study space overlooking Japanese Garden
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 35 Basement Two levels of basement are proposed. A large, lofty open plan learning space is provided at the upper basement level, with a suite of dedicated media rooms to one side. While this space will not benefit from natural daylight, it is proposed that this study area will be enhanced with a series of wall-mounted light boxes around its perimeter.
The lower basement level will provide an area for a multi-purpose Quiet Contemplation Room (QCR), with associated support facili- ties including toilets, ablutions facilities and storage for shoes and bags. Both basement levels will also accommodate mechanical plant.
Servicing and refuse The principal service route into the building will be via means of the platform lift linking the Refectory Route to the Gordon Street level, located within the main core. From here, goods can be taken directly into the lifts and from there distributed around the building. Waste and recycling points are provided in two central locations at each level of the building. Bins will be emptied at routine intervals through the day, with refuse and recycling collected from outside the building equally regularly to avoid the need for a central refuse store within the building. Cleaners’ stores are included within the core area at each level, and a larger store for maintenance purposes is provided at one of the basement levels.
View of Japanese Garden as existing with Site beyond
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 36 EXTERNAL AREAS Japanese Garden The removal of the ACBE plant room and the Node tower from the Japanese Garden provides an opportunity to create good connections between the new building and the courtyard and a straightforward route to the Wilkins Building. Whilst the garden has important functional aspects, it should also be a quality space affording peace and tranquillity at the heart of a busy university campus.
N
Indicative Japanese Garden landscape proposals
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 37 The use of drawings by the Customer acts as an agreement to the following JAN statements. The Customer must not use the drawings if it does not agree with any Prunus ‘Shirotae’ of the following statements: Amelancier lamarckii All drawings are based upon site information supplied by third parties and as such their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All features are approximate and subject to Cornus kousa FEB clarification by a detailed topographical survey, statutory service enquiries and Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ confirmation of the legal boundaries. Do not scale the drawings. Figured dimensions Hydrangea macrophylla must be used in all cases. All dimensions must be checked on site. Any discrepancies must be reported in writing to Colour-UDL before proceeding. All Viburnum opalus ‘Sterile’ drawings are copyright protected. Refer to full Terms & Conditions at Digitalis purpurea Prunus ‘Shirotae’ Hydrangea macrophylla Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’www.colour-udl.com Iris ‘Laevigata’ MAR
(27.76) TOW 29.22 (TOW28.60) Dryopteris filix-mas by extrapolation TOW 29.22 28.32 TOW 29.22 Hackenochloa macra aurea TOW 28.28 TOW 28.60
(TP28.32) 28.375 (TW28.51) 1:21 28.50 Brunnera macrophylla 27.83 1:45 1:45 28.27 Fire Escape
Galium odoratum 28.72
1 28.20
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:
(TOW28.51) 1 Ophiopogon nigrescens 28.20
(27.65) 27.695 Festuca glauca 4 steps
APR WILKINS EXISTING 1:91 BUILDING BRIDGE
27.81527.95528.09528.235 28.375 1:45 28.50
(TOW28.51) Galium odoratum (27.65) Dryopteris filix-mas Brunnera macrophylla CALENDAR KEY FFL 28.50
NEW STUDENT CENTRE Growing 28.16 (27.75) Blooming (27.66) (27.82) (27.80) (27.65) 4 steps 28.14 Autumn (27.76) 27.69 27.74
(27.70) (27.64)
colours MAY (27.73) (27.76) (27.73) 27.69
(27.74) DEC Raised planter KATZ BUILDING
Digitalis purpurea Clerodendron trichotoma
JUN
NOV
JUL OCT
Hackenochloa macra aurea Festuca glauca
AUG SEP
Indicative Japanese Garden planting strategy responding to changing seasons • The planting is designed in the tradition of the courtyard garden, cool calming offering a place of ‘Serenity’ in the busy university life Species amendments 16.03.15 TS TS • The garden celebrates seasonality and is at it’s best in spring, as in the Japanese festival of ‘Haname’ Draft first issue 25.02.15 LK TS • A mixture of spring foliage and blossom predominated by different greens UCL New Student• Classic Centre Japanese- Design and style Access grasses Statement and textures June 2015 and a simple colour palette. 38 01 First Issue dd.mm.yy ## ## Project No. Project Project Status • Flower colour can be focussed to the cool range of colour from white through blue and purple. 1363 UCL Gordon Street Stage 3 • Where possible utilising native or naturalised plants increasing plant diversity or by providing nectar sources to Drawing No. Drawing Title Revision L-1363-PPP-01 Planting Strategy 01 encourage bees and insects. UCL Japanese Garden • Improving the provision of winter food source by including plants with seeds heads to be retained through winter or fruiting bodies London 0207 38 78 560 Planting Strategy Newcastle 0191 24 24 224
colour-udl.com
1363 1:500 For comment
L-1363-GAP-003 01
c o l o u r L o n d o n 0 2 0 7 3 8 7 8 5 6 0 u r b a n N e w c a s t l e 0 1 9 1 2 4 2 4 2 2 4 d e s i g n l i m i t e d c o l o u r - u d l . c o m 0 5 10 15 20 30 40 50m The higher Japanese Garden level directly to the west of the The existing grass and paved areas will be removed back to struc- New Student Centre is required to facilitate services connections ture, re-waterproofed, insulated and built up to roughly the same between the ACBE plant room and the new basement level plant levels as existing. The planter nearest to the Node will be raised to rooms. This will be level with the internal floor of the NSC. Wide maintain adequate edge protection where the higher podium level steps resolve the change in level down to the existing garden, with of the garden sits alongside the new building. New linear planters a shallow slope around the northern and eastern sides of the are proposed, generally to the northern edge, to maximise oppor- courtyard; the steps will provide opportunities for sitting outside in tunities for biodiversity. It is hoped that bricks can be salvaged from the parts of the garden with the best sunlight. The existing narrow the ACBE plant room to provide a good match with the existing. steel steps adjacent to the Node are to be replaced with a more The paving, new steps and slope are to be laid in UK sandstone generous and permanent flight of steps dropping to the new Lower slabs specified to be practical in maintenance and sympathetic to Refectory entrance level below. the existing fabric of the Bloomsbury campus. The central planters will be made with the same precast concrete used for detailing of While the Japanese Garden provides an opportunity to enrich the building, including the external colonnade and benches that site ecology, the scope of the landscaping strategy is somewhat form the eastern edge of the garden. constrained by the multiple demands on the garden including pedestrian flows, space for access into adjacent buildings and seated areas. The shaded nature of north facing areas of the courtyard and the basement structure provide further constraints. Nevertheless the design team have sought to maximise the potential of this space within these limitations, and have developed a planting strategy that seeks to enhance the biodiversity of the space and its amenity value, using a mixture of plants common both in the UK and in Japan and responding to the changing seasons.
The freestanding Japanese monument is retained roughly in its existing location, and will be accompanied by several raised planters positioned to anticipate the opening up of the Wilkins Garden Room in the Bernard Katz Building to the garden. Furthermore, detailing of the western edge of the garden will anticipate the potential for future widening of the bridge link to the Wilkins South Cloister.
Photos of the Japanese Garden as existing
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 39 substrate extensive native plug planting into brownroof size to providevarying invertebrate habitats loose natural elements eg. logs or paddlestones of 80-200mm depth extensive depth substrates of varying ‘Brownroof’ sterile zone / drainage break External roof areas Opportunities for ‘greening’ areas at the fourth floor level of the new building have been explored with the aim of further enhanc- ing biodiversity on the site. Space is available on the east, west and south sides for a variety of substrates used to elicit establishment of different plant types from sedum through to Downland wild flower species and other native species suitable for low fertility shallow depth soils. Other features will include timbers and paddle stones to provide habitat space for invertebrates. The design team are also exploring opportunities for bird and bat boxes.
On the west side, overlooking the Japanese Garden, an area of roof is given over to an external decked terrace that will allow students to enjoy the outdoor space and roofscape views. The terrace is bounded by a glass balustrade, approximately 1.5m high, providing security but without limiting visibility.
Gordon Street The proposals for the pavement reinstatement on Gordon Street will be developed acknowledging the potential future pedestrianisa- tion project planned for the street. The pedestrian crossing will be relocated, and new hard surfacing to the pavement will lead to a new high-quality finish to the pedestrian and vehicle gateway into the campus, the gently sloping route beneath the south end of the building.
Katz Corner This hard surfacing finish will continue towards the Bernard Katz Building, and will also line the undercover route to the Lower Re- fectory and the rear of the theatre. There had been an aspiration to consider demolition of the rear part of 26 Gordon Square to enhance the public realm in this area, but this does not form part of this project. The extent of resurfacing is currently proposed to align with the south façade of the Bernard Katz Building.
Fourth floor external roof areas
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 40 ecsl Newcastle 1363 L-1363-PPP-03 Drawing No. Project No. London Draft first issue roof deck updates including balustrade and Plan reised to showing buiulding Level 4 Roof Garden UCL Gordon Street Drawing Title Project colour-udl.com 0191 24 224 0207 38 78 560 25.02.15 22.04.15 Project Status TS TS Revision Stage 3 JW TS 02 DESIGN 8. INTERFACE WITH EXISTING BUILDINGS
26 Gordon Square The Node 26 Gordon Square is the most northern of the listed terraces Containing stairs, toilets, and services plant for the Bloomsbury fronting on to Gordon Square. The design team are consider- Theatre, the ‘Node’ is a late 1960s brutalist tower out of keeping ing possible replacement of the existing copings, which may be with the context of the Grade I listed Wilkins Building. Its demoli- required to adequately form and make weathertight the junction tion is necessary in order to create the New Student Centre, as it between the existing and proposed buildings. forms an obstruction to circulation at the Lower Refectory en- trance at lower ground level, and it has a bulk in terms of its height The party wall structure proposed is a precast concrete ‘sandwich’ and position in plan that cannot satisfactorily be subsumed into the panel that comprises a rigid insulation layer sandwiched by two lay- design of the New Student Centre. ers of fairfaced concrete, one of which is thicker and structural. The storey height prefabricated wall panels are lifted into position and A new stair and male toilets are proposed as part of the New jointed to provide an immediate weathertight envelope. A mini- Student Centre project, along with relocation and replacement of mum gap of 50mm will be maintained to any part of the rendered the air-handling plant serving the Bloomsbury Theatre. This will end wall of the listed structure. allow the new building to create a carefully considered junction to the Wilkins Building and fourth elevation to the Japanese Garden. No other works are proposed to 26 Gordon Square. The strategy will require a temporary stair to be provided for the use of theatre patrons during the New Student Centre works; the stair is proposed above the existing steel stair adjacent to the Southern Colonnade, and will provide a connection between the Upper Circle and Auditorium levels, and emergency escape onto the Japanese Garden.
Rendered end wall of 26 Gordon Square
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 41 Demolition of the Node will require care and a good understand- Bloomsbury Theatre ing of the existing structure. The work will inevitably be noisy and Of all the buildings around the site the Bloomsbury Theatre will disruptive, particularly for the Theatre, as it shares a common be the most affected, largely due to the removal of the Node. The structural frame. Temporary acoustic weatherproof screen walls will Theatre will close for a period during the demolition works. be erected to protect the otherwise exposed internal spaces of the Theatre. During this period, new openings will be formed in the external wall at the Upper Circle and Auditorium levels for access to the The existing arrangement of stairs in the Node provides a circulation temporary stair in the Japanese Garden. On completion of the link between the Theatre Upper Circle and main Auditorium levels construction works, the existing bar areas will be reinstated. and also a means of escape in the event of emergency, the latter discharging at the Lower Refectory level. The permanent replace- The southern stair in the Theatre serves the full height of the build- ment stair to be constructed as part of the New Student Centre ing, exiting at the Lower Refectory level to the rear passageway. An project will also provide the circulation link between levels, but will alternative exit direction will be required during the Node demoli- exit at Japanese Garden level. This allows an uninterrupted route to tion and during at least part of the construction works. be created below, leading to the Lower Refectory entrance.
The Bloomsbury Theatre services plant area will be relocated from the upper levels of the Node to a new deck and enclosure above the gym roof, for which planning permission has now been granted. The works to achieve this are effectively split in two phases. The first phase will include preparation works, installation of the steel decking, enclosure and re-roofing; the second will include forming a new opening into the services duct, asbestos removal, installation of services and commissioning. The theatre is expected to be closed for 18 weeks.
The Node View of the Bloomsbury Theatre
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 42 ACBE plant room Bernard Katz Building The upper part of the ACBE plant room, the pitched-roofed single The New Student Centre has a key interface with the Bernard Katz storey building sitting on the Japanese Garden, will be removed to Building at its southern corner. The primary grid is set out to provide allow the New Student Centre to properly engage with the garden clearance to the existing brickwork. The two buildings will overlap by and to establish direct connections across to the Wilkins Building. around 2.5m, and at the upper levels the new structure will require closure of the north facing small windows to the corner rooms. The building contains air-conditioning plant serving the laboratory spaces beneath, which will be relocated into the basement of the new building as part of the project, to allow removal of the plant room.
There are several existing openings on to what will become the covered Refectory Route; these include the building entrance and adjacent hoist, a store access door and a fire escape door. The former openings will be retained, but the fire escape door is no longer required following demolition of the Node.
View of ACBE plantroom from the Japanese Garden View of Bernard Katz Building
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 43 DESIGN 9. SUSTAINABILITY
The New Student Centre will be a flagship building for the UCL campus. The design of the building must support the wellbeing of building users, perform at the highest standard, and be adaptable to changing climates and future demands. This will be a durable and flexible building that will stand the test of time.
Particular measures employed to achieve these aims include the following: • Mixed mode ventilation maximising the use of natural ventila- tion whenever possible and responding to seasonal variations. • Prioritising the use of passive and low energy measures includ- ing ground source cooling and a connection to UCL’s District Heating network. • Enhancing daylight penetration through the central atrium. • The use of photovoltaic panels, pitched roof lights and Blooms- bury Theatre roof. • Monitoring air quality, with mechanisms to allow switching from natural to mechanical ventilation when poor external air quality demands. • Zoning of the space to provide distinct areas with different acoustic qualities. • Measures to increase biodiversity on the site. • A simple structural frame and internal arrangement that can be easily adapted over time. • An approach to the use of materials that emphasises exposed surfaces and therefore minimises applied finishes.
These measures are described in full in the Sustainability State- ment prepared by Expedition. The project is currently on target to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
View across atrium from lifts
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 44 ACCESS 10. ACCESS STATEMENT
This statement is intended be an evolving document, which will Other design references in use for the project are: record and explain decisions on accessibility at all design stages • Current guidance on the provisions of the Disability Equality through to the detailed Access Strategy used for occupation and Act 2010 the ongoing management of the building. The form of the Access • Disability Rights Commission Codes of Practice Statement is based upon recommendations set out by the Disability • Guidance on Access Statements Rights Commission. • Building Sight (RNIB) • The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) Access Directory ACCESS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USERS • Sign Design Guide (Joint Mobility Unit and the Sign Design The University will be employers and service providers under the Society) Disability Equality Act 2010. In parallel with this Access Statement, which relates principally to the physical arrangements in the new building, the University will be required to review their accessibility ACCESS CONSULTATIONS policies as they move to the new accommodation. Discussions have been held with the University’s access advisor, the UCLU Disabled Students’ Officer and Camden Council’s Access of- ficer during the development of the design and will continue during STATEMENT OF INTENT the forthcoming design stages. The process has also included public The principal aim of the designers has been to enhance inclusion and consultations to open up discussion with all future building users. maximise access for those with disabilities. This has included ensuring level access to all entrances and an easy transition from the sur- These discussions have been especially helpful in framing UCL’s par- rounding external site areas, as well as within the building itself. ticular aspirations for their new buildings, which in some instances go beyond the strict requirements of Approved Document M and BS8300: 2001. SOURCES OF GUIDANCE The main sources of reference have been Approved Document M of the Building Regulations 2013 and UCL’s Inclusive Design Standard for Buildings and Infrastructure Works. These have been supplemented by reference to BS8300: 2001 Design of Buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people.
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 45 ACCESS 11. SITE ACCESS
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ACCESS FOR CARS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES SERVICING ACCESS The site is in a highly accessible part of central London, with numer- Disabled users arriving as passengers by car or taxi can be set A fourth entrance point is provided at the north end of the ous bus, rail and underground routes stopping nearby. London down on Gordon Street, close to the main building entrance. A Refectory Route, linking it with the main ground floor street level Euston railway station is a short walk to the north east, and Euston limited number of car parking spaces are available on the UCL by means of a platform lift. This route into the building has security Square underground station is 360m to the north west. The nearest campus for disabled students who are blue badge holders. restricted access and is intended as the principal entry point for bus stops are also located at Euston Square with several other goods and deliveries, as well as the removal route for refuse. The bus stops within a few hundred metres of the site. There are wide, A new route for vehicular access passing into the campus is pro- platform lift leads directly into the core where the main lifts are well-lit footways between these stops and stations and the site, vided adjacent to the listed terraces, bridged over by the upper located, from where goods can be distributed throughout the levels. providing safe, level and easy access for pedestrians. There is a zebra floors of the new building. This will essentially be a pedestrian space, crossing adajcent to the site which will be relocated slightly further with sliding security gates and retractable bollards limiting vehicular north as part of the development proposals. use to controlled times. This route is also suitable for ambulances and fire tender vehicles. There are three public entrances to the building. The Gordon Street entrance sits 1.4m above the level of the Bernard Katz Building entrance and Wilkins Building lower ground floor, and 2.4m below the level of the Japanese Garden. Level access will be provided at all these entrances.
The pedestrian areas around the building, including the routes to the building entrance, will be well lit, and the lighting strategy will be developed during the next stages of the project.
ACCESS FOR CYCLISTS It is proposed that 54 cycle parking spaces are provided under the cover of the Refectory Route (to the west of the building at street level). The limited space available means that these are two-tier racks, spaced at 400mm centres. From here, cyclists can enter the building at its south-west corner and take the main stair down to the lower basement level where showers, toilets and lockers are provided.
There are currently 173 public cycle docks located within a 400m walk of the site as part of the Santander Cycles Scheme.
View of Gordon Street elevation
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 46 ACCESS 12. USING THE BUILDING
BUILDING ENTRANCES A separate reception desk is not proposed at the entrance adjacent lift suitable for safe escape by disabled people. These lifts lie beyond The threshold at each of the three entrance doors is level. The to Katz Corner, however a set of wide stairs and a platform lift the security barriers and therefore their use is restricted to those main entrance onto Gordon Street has a wide set of curved are located directly opposite this entrance, and once street level is with an appropriate swipecard, although staff at the adjacent recep- automatic sliding doors to ensure all building users can make use reached the main reception desk will be clearly visible. tion desks can give assistance to visitors. of the same ‘front door’. This will be flanked with single pass doors to each side with opening devices that allow mechanical opening All reception desks (including those within the Student Enquiries Two platform lifts are provided to link the ground levels. The first when required for assisted operation. Centre and the IT helpdesk) include a lowered section of counter is a service lift positioned within the core at the north end of the with direct and unobstructed access for wheelchair users. Hearing building, linking street level to the level of the Refectory Route. This The secondary entrances to Katz Corner and the Japanese Garden induction loops are included at each of these desks. serves as a route into the building for deliveries, café servicing and have a central manually operated revolving door and single pass waste removal, with access limited to building staff by a swipe card doors to each side. It is acknowledged that revolving doors are reader. The second platform lift provides public access between the unsuitable for wheelchair users, however it is considered that in this HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT entrance at Katz Corner, the main street level and the garden level. particular situation, this is the best solution to maintain adequate There are few corridors within the building, but where these This is of a higher specification with a glazed enclosure and its use is comfort conditions within the ground floor spaces. With three exist, corridor widths, lobbies and approaches to doors have unrestricted. Both lifts are designed for independent use with clear separate entrances leading into a large open volume, conventional been designed in accordance with Approved Document M of the instructions provided. sliding doors on both sides of the building would unavoidably lead Building Regulations and good practice. Where possible, doors that to uncomfortable through-draughts unless a great deal of energy might obstruct or provide an obstacle to users with disabilities are was devoted to increased local heating in these areas. held in the open position by electro magnetic devices linked to the MEANS OF ESCAPE fire alarm. Surface finishes and colours will be selected in accor- The University will develop evacuation management policies, includ- There is an area of matwell beyond the doors at each entrance; this dance with good practice and the guidance set out in BS8300. This ing any Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. is of firm texture and set flush with the floor. includes the design of the lighting and the acoustics. Wheelchair refuges are provided within the core at the north Security access gates operated by swipecard proximity readers are of the building and within the escape stair to the south. Disabled situated in four locations to prevent unauthorized visitors from pro- VERTICAL MOVEMENT refuge intercoms, linked to the intercom panel adjacent to the fire gressing beyond the ground floor levels. The sets of gates leading to Stairs alarm panel, are provided at each refuge point. Wheelchair users the lifts (one at street and one at garden level) will include one wider All the stairs within the building have been designed as ambulant can also use the fire-fighting lift as an evacuation lift. aisle, suitable for wheelchair users and those with bulky luggage. stairs, with goings of 300mm. All stairs have non-slip, colour con- trasted nosings and are well lit. Handrails are made from timber so Final exit door thresholds are level, and the approach gradients are in are warm to the touch, and these follow the statutory guidance in accordance with Approved Document M of the Building Regulations. RECEPTION AREAS terms of diameter and position. The main reception desk reception area is a prominent part of the entrance area at street level, and is supported by a smaller reception Lifts point close to the garden level entrance. Staff at both these desks The core contains a bank of three lifts, facing the atrium, with all lifts can distribute appropriate information and deal with many common serving all levels. One lift needs to be a fire-fighting lift, due to the enquiries from visitors and those unfamiliar with the building. building’s height, and therefore has double entry for access from the fire-fighting lobby within the core. It also serves as an evacuation
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 47 BUILDING ACCOMMODATION Study areas All types of study area within the building are accessible to those with disabilities. Within quiet study areas arranged with rows of desking, a number of accessible desk spaces are located close to circulation routes. These have adjustable-height desks and wider aisle widths to facilitate access. Library services staff (located on every floor) will manage the use of these spaces to ensure they are made available to disabled users when required.
Areas for social study contain a mixture of seating types, both fixed and loose, to allow all building users to rearrange furniture to suit their needs.
Consultation rooms and group rooms Nine consultation rooms are proposed as part of the Student En- quiries Centre, and five of these allow space for a 1500mm diameter wheelchair turning circle. A number of small rooms and alcoves for group work are also proposed. Some of these are arranged with fixed booth-type seating, however the leading edge of the central table will allow a wheelchair user to join a group sitting here. Other group rooms have loose furniture which can be rearranged as required.
View of second floor informal study area
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 48 Toilets, showers and changing facilities INTERNAL DOORS FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Toilets are provided within the core area, and all levels of the All doors have been designed in accordance with Approved Docu- The design details of fixtures and fittings have been developed in building include an accessible unisex toilet. This will be handed on ment M of the Building Regulations and BS8300. UCL’s Inclusive accordance with good practice. alternate levels to provide a choice of transfer positions. All acces- Design Standard recommends that internal doors have a minimum sible toilets are provided with alarms linked back to the reception clear opening width of 1050mm, and this guidance has been adhered There is a large amount of fixed desking included, and this is area. The size of the building is such that no part of the accommo- to for all doors except those to non-accessible WCs and shower designed to ensure all worksurfaces will be no greater than 750mm dation is more than 40m from an accessible toilet. rooms, cleaners’ cupboards and storerooms (which provide a in height with a clear height below of 700mm. Individual task lights minimum clear width of 800mm). are provided at each study position with controls mounted on the At the lower basement level a suite of individual shower cubicles is desk surface for easy access, along with power and data points. provided, including a larger accessible shower and toilet. Doors are faced with coloured laminate to provide sufficient contrast and light reflectance to walls and ironmongery. In addition, Counters to the café servery, student food preparation areas and While it is not anticipated that the building will be used or visited the proximity and positioning of glazed panels within or to the side staff teapoints are designed to accommodate the needs of people by a large number of families, a baby changing facility is provided of doors will aid adequate differentiation. Where full height glazed with disabilities, incorporating projecting surfaces at low and high level. within the First Aid room at street level. panels are incorporated to doors or windows, these are provided with two-tone manifestations. Consideration of adequately configured and colour contrasting Multi-faith facilities Where possible doors that might obstruct or provide an obstacle to electrical switches will be discussed with the University. The Quiet Contemplation Room on the lower basement level users with disabilities are held in the open position by electro-mag- provides a calm, neutral backdrop for prayer and meditation for netic devices linked to the fire alarm. Door closers are not provided those of all faiths. Washing facilities and storage for bags and shoes except where required for fire safety. In the few instances where INFORMATION AND SIGNAGE are located close by and include accessible provision. swipe card readers are required to activate a door (for instance in Appropriate signage for the building as a whole will be in accor- staff areas), these are positioned within easy reach of all users. dance with the UCL Inclusive Design Standard. Building signage is provided in English, supplemented with pictograms and symbols at Ironmongery has been selected to take account of disabilities and an appropriate scale. general dexterity.
UCL New Student Centre - Design and Access Statement June 2015 49 3 Barnsbury Square, London N1 1JL Tel +44 (0) 20 7619 1670
[email protected] www.nicholashare.co.uk