New Academic Building

New Academic Building
Name	New Academic Building
Location	University of London, London
Architect	Norman Foster, Frank Gehry
Completed	2016
Client	University College London

New Academic Building. The New Academic Building is a state-of-the-art facility located at the University of London, designed by renowned architects Norman Foster and Frank Gehry, and completed in 2016. The building serves as a hub for academic and research activities, providing a collaborative environment for students, faculty, and staff from various departments, including the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University College London, and the London School of Economics. The New Academic Building is situated near the British Museum, British Library, and Wellcome Trust, making it an ideal location for interdisciplinary research and collaboration with institutions like the Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Society, and Academy of Medical Sciences.

Introduction

The New Academic Building is a significant addition to the University of London campus, offering a range of facilities and resources that support innovative teaching, learning, and research. The building's design and layout are inspired by the works of Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius, and feature a unique blend of modern and sustainable materials, such as those used in the Guggenheim Museum and the Tate Modern. The New Academic Building is home to various academic departments, including the Department of Computer Science, Department of Engineering, and Department of Physics and Astronomy, which collaborate with institutions like the European Organization for Nuclear Research, NASA, and the European Space Agency. The building also hosts a range of research centers and institutes, such as the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, UCL Institute of Education, and the London Centre for Nanotechnology, which work closely with organizations like the National Science Foundation, European Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust.

History

The New Academic Building was conceived as part of the University of London's strategic plan to enhance its academic and research capabilities, with input from experts like Noam Chomsky, Stephen Hawking, and Tim Berners-Lee. The project was led by the University College London's Vice-Provost for Research, in collaboration with the London School of Economics and the Imperial College London. The building's design and construction were influenced by the principles of Bauhaus, De Stijl, and Brutalist architecture, and feature a unique blend of materials and technologies, such as those used in the Sydney Opera House and the Burj Khalifa. The New Academic Building was officially opened in 2016 by the Chancellor of the University of London, in the presence of dignitaries like the Mayor of London, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the President of the Royal Society.

Architecture

The New Academic Building's design is characterized by its sleek, modern, and sustainable architecture, inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, and I.M. Pei. The building features a unique façade made of glass, steel, and concrete, with a green roof and a rainwater harvesting system, similar to those used in the Empire State Building and the Willis Tower. The interior spaces are designed to be flexible and adaptable, with moveable walls, collaborative workspaces, and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, similar to those used in the Googleplex and the Microsoft Campus. The building's architecture is also influenced by the principles of Biophilic design, with an emphasis on natural light, ventilation, and indoor air quality, similar to those used in the Amazon Spheres and the Apple Park.

Facilities

The New Academic Building offers a range of facilities and resources that support academic and research activities, including lecture theaters, seminar rooms, laboratories, and workshops. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-performance computing facilities, 3D printing equipment, and virtual reality systems, similar to those used in the MIT Media Lab and the Stanford University. The New Academic Building also features a range of social and recreational spaces, including a café, restaurant, and fitness center, similar to those used in the University of California, Berkeley and the Harvard University. The building is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with features like wheelchair ramps, accessible toilets, and assistive technology facilities, similar to those used in the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Sustainability

The New Academic Building is designed to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly facility, with a range of features that reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its impact on the environment. The building features a green roof, rainwater harvesting system, and solar panels, similar to those used in the One World Trade Center and the Bullitt Center. The New Academic Building also has a highly efficient heating and cooling system, energy-efficient lighting, and recycling facilities, similar to those used in the Vancouver House and the Bosco Verticale. The building's sustainable design and operations are inspired by the principles of Cradle-to-Cradle design, Biomimicry, and Circular economy, and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Occupancy

The New Academic Building is occupied by a range of academic and research departments, including the Department of Computer Science, Department of Engineering, and Department of Physics and Astronomy. The building is also home to various research centers and institutes, such as the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, UCL Institute of Education, and the London Centre for Nanotechnology. The New Academic Building is a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration, with partnerships with institutions like the European Organization for Nuclear Research, NASA, and the European Space Agency. The building's occupants include renowned researchers and academics, such as Stephen Hawking, Tim Berners-Lee, and Noam Chomsky, who work on projects like the Large Hadron Collider, Human Genome Project, and the Square Kilometre Array. The New Academic Building is a vibrant and dynamic community, with a range of events, seminars, and workshops, including the TED Conference, World Economic Forum, and the Nobel Prize ceremonies.

Category:University buildings