LSE Saw Swee Hock Student Centre
London GB
O´Donnell + Tuomey
2014
Type
University
Tags
urban function, learning environments, spaces of encounter, brick, made by women, 200Best
Visitability
Allowed
Description
This building, located in the centre of London, houses facilities for students at the prestigious London School of Economics. These include a café, library, gym and space for musical performances. The design of the building derives mainly from an in-depth analysis of the place. At the meeting point of two different pedestrianised streets that make up the university campus, the building unfolds with a language of triangulated brick surfaces. These allow the streets to flow freely while transforming them into a true civic centre that connects with student life and with that of the city. The interior, reserved for students, is structured around a huge staircase that also acts as a meeting space. Each landing has integrated seats at which to stop and talk. The rooms, in continuity with the stairs, are designed to host events of a diverse nature. Walls of coloured glass and wood foster this flexibility while “acoustic clouds” enable different activities to be carried out at the same time. All the rooms have natural light thanks to the distinctive brick skin of the building, which forms a lattice at various points. In addition, some of the triangular surfaces form skylights that contribute to the natural lighting of the facilities. At night, the building is transformed into a lantern whose interior life illuminates the surroundings.