The brief for this new faculty school demanded a building of architectural distinction that would be a centre for learning, teaching and research in studies related to management and business. It was also necessary that the building had a high level of environmental efficiency in keeping with other buildings on the University’s estate. A freeform shape was used for the building’s main, stainless steel-clad auditorium, articulating the new building from an existing learning resource centre to which it is connected, and ‘floating’ above the entrance and foyer space below. The building has achieved a BREEAM “Excellent” rating, utilising its own thermal mass and a TermoDeck system for air distribution and passive cooling. A glass bioclimatic wall, incorporating responsive dichroic film, allows maximum daylight penetration into classrooms whilst dramatically reducing heat loss.

Date:

Completed 2003

Location:

Chelmsford, UK

Client:

Anglia Ruskin University

Value:

£8 million

Type:

• Education

Theme:

• Sustainability

Ideas:

• Responsive Structures

Link:

www.anglia.ac.uk