London School of Economics London School of Economics London School of Economics London School of Economics London School of Economics London School of Economics

 

Portfolio

London School of Economics

 

location: 24 Kingsway, London
client: London School of Economics
architect: Grimshaw Architects
main contractor: Geoffrey Osborne
project scope:

Stick & Unitised Curtain Walling, Doors, Brise Soleil, Louvers Bolted Glazing, Atrium Rooflights, Rainscreen Cladding

 

The new Academic building will see the student population grow by 2,500, which reflects the steady increase in admissions at LSE from UK, EU and overseas students. The single most important change offered by the New Academic Building is to unlock the very tight and overcrowded centre of the campus, giving it breathing space, and letting departments with similar academic interests come together. It will also ease the crush around the Old Building when classes change.

 

EAG were appointed as specialist glazing and cladding sub-contractor by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd to design, manufacture and install the proprietary glazing systems of Schüco International in the form of Schüco FW 50+ stick construction curtain walling and SkyLine S 65FSG unitised curtain walling and doors, a fully glazed atrium roof together with associated rainscreen cladding and louvres.

 

The design optimises the use of ventilation and natural light. A generous supply of fresh air is seen as essential in creating light, airy spaces. Natural forces of buoyancy and prevailing wind movement will be the principal methods for ventilating air in the building where possible. The atrium at the heart of the building is the nucleus of the development and is a light-filled, triple-height space with gallery levels to all sides linked by skeletal scissor stairs. Effectively it is an internal piazza which encourages social interaction as well as providing informal study space. The roof pavilion accommodates executive meeting rooms and a function suite with stunning views across Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The building is a strong contender for a BREEAM rating of ‘excellence’ for its sustainability qualities’.

 

The scheme will provide three new lecture theatres, 18 classrooms, research facilities and academic offices on the upper floors when it opens in the autumn of 2008. This is the second educational landmark project EAG has successfully completed for main contractor Geoffrey Osborne.