CASE STUDY | UCL STUDENT CENTRE ADAPTING TO STUDENT LIFE The new Student Centre at University College London has reopened after lockdown, and its flexible design means numbers can increase as socialdistancing guidelines change. BDPs James Hepburn describes the building T he new Student Centre forms part of a major transformation for University College London (UCL). The flagship building provides a progressive and flexible environment for students, supporting their needs and learning in the heart of the Bloomsbury campus. BDP designed the building services engineering, including acoustics and lighting, working in conjunction with Nicholas Hare Architects and Mace Construction. Two weeks ago, the Student Centre was reopened by UCL for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown. Although the centre has capacity for 1,000 students, occupancy is currently limited to just 200 staff and postgraduate research students who are unable to work from home. The reopening is part of a trial by the London-based university to reopen its buildings ahead of the September term, depending on the government guidelines. UCL has incorporated a one-way system into the Student Centres two large staircases, with staff and students directed down the striking central staircase. Although the facility does feature fixed desks, it was designed to be flexible, and has clusters of chairs and tables that can be moved to ensure social distancing is practised between occupants. If distances are reduced by a change in government policy, increasing the buildings occupancy will be straightforward. Low carbon strategies The 5,300m2 building employs innovative passive and active low carbon strategies, so that it can run in natural or mechanical ventilation mode, depending on internal conditions and ambient temperatures. The mechanical ventilation is full fresh air with heat recovery, and is demand-controlled via variable air volume dampers linked to CO2 and air-quality sensors. The control points can be adjusted to increase fresh air supply rates and windows can be opened by users if they desire. The air handling units supply and extract air via the risers and the raised floor services zone. Generally, air enters the occupied spaces by floor swirl diffusers, and is extracted at roof level in the atrium. The benefit of the thermally massive concrete soffits is boosted by PROJECT TEAM Client: University College London (UCL Estates) Architect: Nicholas Hare Architects Building services, acoustics, lighting: BDP Structural engineer: Curtins Fire engineer: Arup Project management: Arcadis Cost planning: Aecom Sustainability: Useful Simple Trust Landscape architect: Colour UDL Health & safety: Faithful & Gould Planning consultant: Deloitte Real Estate Contractor: Mace M&E Subcontractor: Derry Building Services 38 July 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE July20 pp38-40 UCL student centre1.indd 38 19/06/2020 18:42