LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE, CHICHESTER UNIVERSITY

CLIENT:

VOLKER FITZPATRICK

ARCHITECT:

M2 ARCHITECTURE

CONTRACTOR:

VOLKER FITZPATRICK

PROJECT VALUE:

£5M

DATE COMPLETED:

2010

A prominent building developed at Chichester University to provide a Learning Resource facility which included a Library and IT centre.

The design was for a striking glazed double curved main façade under a large overhanging mono pitch roof.

Ground conditions were very soft ground over chalk ruling out conventional foundations and ground treatment techniques and requiring a piled solution.  Ground water was also present at high level and so a flat slab ground floor was used to minimise the amount of ground works.

The first floor consisted of a flat slab as an economical and aesthetically pleasing solution (as there were minimal ceilings). Around the curved feature stair, circular exposed laminated timber columns support the floor, which required extensive co-ordination with the Danish sub–contractor. A conventional steel frame was used for the roof structure.  The surface water outfall is to a very shallow culvert, sufficient to tidal surcharging. This necessitated careful design and construction, including green roofs and other SUDS systems.