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The Open University, Jennie Lee Building
| location: | Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes |
| client: | The Open University |
| architect: | Swanke Hayden Connell |
| main contractor: | Galliford Try |
| project scope: |
Curtain Walling, Windows & Doors, Brise Soleil, Louvres, Bolted Glazing, Internal Atria |
The new building is named after Jennie Lee (1904-1988) the Labour MP who was instrumental in the foundation of the Open University during her time as Minister for the Arts and will house the faculties of Mathematics and Computing and the Institute of Educational Technology. The design concept responds to the OU's ambition to create a showcase for cutting edge research on the campus.
EAG were contracted by Galliford Try to design, supply and install the external envelope for this scheme. The proprietary aluminium glazing systems of Schüco International were utilised throughout the project in the form of windows, doors, curtain walling and an internal atria in addition to the bolted entrance screens, louvres & brise soleil.
The building's characteristic alluring glass envelope contains a series of coloured vision panels in green, orange, pink and yellow. Additional solar control and visual interest is provided by two frit patterns of 12mm and 4mm diameter white dots applied respectively to glass faces two and four of the outer and centre panes of the triple glazed units that gradually reveals itself upon approaching the building.
Swanke Hayden Connell's Project Principal, Nick Birchall said: "The building will provide a choice of adaptable research and academic environments including laboratories for the development of world-leading research into ambient technology that focuses on the links between people and technology. The central 'nexus space' is designed to encourage the collision of ideas and intellectual exchange."
The building has been designed to achieve a high level of sustainability targets and was occupied in March 2008. This is the second successfully completed project by EAG for The Open University and Galliford Try at the Walton Hall Campus.
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