Queens Univeristy Belfast - Main Site Tower School of Law
- Client:Queens University Belfast – Estates Department
- Designer:Todd Architects
- Status: Completed
Queens Univeristy Belfast - Main Site Tower School of Law
The new School of Law is a prestigious development which forms a key part of the University’s £350m investment to transform the campus into world-class facilities for staff and pupils. The project commenced in January 2014 and was realized through the complete redevelopment and refurbishment of the existing 12 storey Library Tower. This involved the retention of the original structural frame, removal of the top 3 floors and construction of a new 3 storey link building to connect the School of Law to the Peter Froggatt Centre.
Photo Credit to Chris Hill Photographic
The School of Law was completed in July 2016 ready for the start of the Autumn Semester in September. It provides a new home for the University’s highly respected School of Law, a Faculty hub facility, and a series of centrally bookable lecture theatres and teaching spaces. School of Law staff and student facilities are on the upper floors, while the ground floor offers the hub which provides social and informal group study space and a café. The building provides a vibrant “destination” for both students and staff through innovations including a hub cafe sitting within a triple height entrance hall (animated with stairs / link bridges) and mini-atria within the tower where informal engagement between academics and students is encouraged.
KEY FEATURES
Programme and quality were achieved throughout this project influenced by the following factors:
- Detailed phasing of works to mitigate disruption to the campus – major demolition works were undertaken over strict windows during the Summer breaks of 2014 and 2015 to minimise risk
- Measures to accommodate students & staff during term time included specified “quiet days” when no drilling etc could take place, noise control to specified db levels & restricted working hours.
- Our Point cloud surveys of the existing remains of the demolished structure facilitated complete accuracy when establishing every steel to concrete connection throughout all levels without the requirement for time consuming traditional survey measures
- Extensive BIM modelling facilitated clash detection across multiple levels e.g. foresight of secondary steel requirements to be realised early, procured and installed to avoid delay to M&E and curtain wall installations
- The project achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating through design and delivery innovations inc waste management and considerate constructors
AWARDS
BREEAM Excellent Rating
Education Infrastructure Award 2017 Winner - Construction Excellence Awards
RSUA Award Winner - RIBA Northern Ireland Award 2018
Education Project of the Year 2017 Winner - Irish Construction Industry Awards
Design through Innovation 2017 Winner - RICS NI Awards
Building of the Year - Educational 2017 Winner - Building & Architect of the Year Awards
UK Refurbishment Project of the Year in the 2017 Winner - Brick Development Association Awards
Retrofitting / Renovation Project of the Year 2017 Winner - Irish Building and Design Awards
