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University of Essex
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University of Essex
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University of Essex
Conversion of the Central Boiler House to accommodate new facilities
Location:
Colchester, Essex
Client:
University of Essex
Building Period:
20th Century
Construction Value:
£5 million
The University’s vision was to transform redundant boiler house space within its Wivenhoe campus into state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities for its ever increasing student population. To fulfill the client’s challenging brief, we introduced a mezzanine level to provide 20 state-of-the-art seminar rooms with modern facilities and a theatre rehearsal studio split over two floors. The converted space with its inbuilt mezzanine level provides a modern, inviting interior scheme with adequate lighting and ventilation which maximizes the space’s volume and available lighting while observing the university’s sustainability commitments.
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The continuing growth of the University of Essex created an urgent need for a high quality teaching space. All redundant services and equipment was stripped from the subterranean boiler house prior to our commencement of the main building works.
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University of Essex
1.The continuing growth of the University of Essex created an urgent need for a high quality teaching space. All redundant services and equipment was stripped from the subterranean boiler house prior to our commencement of the main building works.
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New openings were created in the existing concrete structure. A structural glazed rooflight and sunken courtyard were introduced.
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University of Essex
2.New openings were created in the existing concrete structure. A structural glazed rooflight and sunken courtyard were introduced.
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The site incorporates a significant change in level from the north to south. An internal platform lift increases the campus’s accessibility by enabling students to easily get from one side of campus to the other.
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University of Essex
3.The site incorporates a significant change in level from the north to south. An internal platform lift increases the campus’s accessibility by enabling students to easily get from one side of campus to the other.
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We faced a restrictive timescale with works requiring completion for the start of the 2011 academic year with works starting on-site in January 2010.
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University of Essex
4.We faced a restrictive timescale with works requiring completion for the start of the 2011 academic year with works starting on-site in January 2010.
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The introduction of state-of-the-art equipment provides students with a convenient means of learning and studying, and hearing loops were installed in all the seminar rooms.
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University of Essex
5.The introduction of state-of-the-art equipment provides students with a convenient means of learning and studying, and hearing loops were installed in all the seminar rooms.
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The building draws in natural daylight through the sunken courtyard and structural glass roof light to lessen its dependence on artificial lighting. The openings at the mezzanine level allow this natural light to permeate the lower floor as well.
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University of Essex
6.The building draws in natural daylight through the sunken courtyard and structural glass roof light to lessen its dependence on artificial lighting. The openings at the mezzanine level allow this natural light to permeate the lower floor as well.
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The entrance was designed to provide full accessibility to the building. Wide corridors allow for easy movement throughout.
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University of Essex
7.The entrance was designed to provide full accessibility to the building. Wide corridors allow for easy movement throughout.
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The southwest elevation was extended with a planar glazing construction which covers the lower and mezzanine floor levels. The sunken courtyard was surrounded at podium level by a structural glass roof light and glazed balustrade.
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University of Essex
8.The southwest elevation was extended with a planar glazing construction which covers the lower and mezzanine floor levels. The sunken courtyard was surrounded at podium level by a structural glass roof light and glazed balustrade.
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In deciding to reuse the boiler house and not construct a new building, the project adheres to the University’s commitment to sustainability and lessening its environmental impact. The project was completed on time and on budget.
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University of Essex
9.In deciding to reuse the boiler house and not construct a new building, the project adheres to the University’s commitment to sustainability and lessening its environmental impact. The project was completed on time and on budget.