University Square Stratford
A joint venture between the University of East London and Birkbeck University, the new building will provide 8,600m² (92,500 ft²) of new learning space to accommodate 1,700 students.
This design and build project provides multi-purpose academic buildings with flexible teaching and administration spaces, and will accommodate departments from both universities, including:
- Law
- Performing arts
- Dance and music
- Information technology
The buildings will also include lecture rooms, changing facilities, social meeting spaces, a cafeteria and attractive garden spaces. The structure is a five storey RC frame with high quality fair faced concrete finishes and the exposed concrete ceilings acting as thermal mass, as part of the heating and cooling strategy.
Facades are mainly ceramic granite panels and glazed curtain walling with photo voltaic panels as part of the renewable energy strategy. Displacement ventilation provides single source heating and ventilation using the raised floors as plenums. Roof areas include over 700m² of green roof, encouraging bio-diversity and reducing rainwater loss which will provide water for WC flushing.
Enabling works include changing an existing one-way road into two-way and diversion of an existing sewer. The site is on the main route of the Olympic road network and is subject to the Transport for London constraints, before and during the Olympic Games.
The building will achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent' and is anticipated to be ready to welcome its first intake of students in September 2013.