WARWICKSHIRE UNIVERSITY – 3 PHASE EXPANSION

This was a 3 phase expansion project at Warwickshire University which included a specialist performing arts facility, learning spaces, offices and laboratories.

PHASES 1 & 2
These comprised of specialist performing arts facilities and learning spaces as well as academic offices for Theatres Studies, the CAPTIAL Centre and the Department of History of Art, as well as extensive laboratories, office and write up areas for Physics and Chemistry.

The main Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, NMR, imaging laboratory was the largest in Europe on completion.

The laboratory design had to factor in hazards in the form of very strong magnetic fields, exposed lasers, rapid Helium purging and Nitrogen leaks from research equipment. The two laboratories had very controlled condition requirements that involved the building of a specialist two storey plant extension. The rehearsal studio rooms had tension wire platforms installed to enable theatre lighting and AV study as well as to make them suitable for performances.

PHASE 3
Phase Three was the development at Millburn House, a new extension building. The two storey office section was designed on the basis of passive natural ventilation. The overhanging first floor and eaves shaded the office glazing. The set back at first floor enabled a two storey corridor space to act as a plenum for the return air and generate stack effect driven ventilation for the offices.

The single sided office accommodation allowed the extension to be built around the new phase 2 plant room softening the impact of the otherwise plain elevation. In each office a louvred opening with insulated door that is user controllable enabled rapid ventilation even in black out conditions needed for film and TV review and research. The building also houses four seminar rooms and a tiered lecture room all connected to projection rooms.

This was an example of another project which benefitted from the skill and expertise of Alcema team members.