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University College London - Roberts Building
| location: | 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E |
| client: | University College London |
| architect: | Pascall & Watson |
| main contractor: | Geoffrey Osborne |
| project scope: |
Curtain Walling & Windows, Rainscreen Cladding, Balustrades, Terracotta Baguettes & Louvers |
Founded in 1826, UCL’s main building was designed by William Wilkins who went on to build the National Gallery. It was the first university to be established in England after Oxford and Cambridge, providing a progressive alternative to those institutions’ academic constraints.
EAG were appointed as specialist glazing and cladding subcontractor by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd for the design, manufacture and installation of Schüco FW 60+ curtain walling and windows together with associated rainscreen cladding, balustrades and terracotta baguettes as well as the application of louvres to the front south-facing side of the five-storey building to provide solar shading.
The new building has been constructed over the existing basement. The rear of the building is cutback to allow daylight into the existing Roberts Building. The front elevation is louvred to provide solar shading to the southern aspect, whilst creating a level of detail similar to that of the surrounding architecture. The selection of materials has visually linked the light brickwork and terracotta tiles evident in the local neighborhood. The space between the old and new buildings presents an opportunity to provide a striking, double height, linking space beneath the retained overhang. This strip is flanked by a full-length, first floor balcony on the new building side and the existing façade of the Roberts Building on the other.
The £7.5m extension to the front of the existing Roberts Building - which is home to the University’s engineering faculty, was completed in May 2008 providing additional offices, lecture/ seminar areas and an exhibition space. This is the second in succession of educational landmark projects EAG has successfully completed for Geoffrey Osborne.
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