Osborne wins £32 million contract at LSE
16 July 2006
Osborne one of the UK’s leading construction companies, has started work on a £32 million design and build project that will see the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) effectively double its teaching space.
The contract for the 12,700 m2 building underlines the organisation’s commitment to placing itself as a key player in the UK main contractor league tables.
Osborne was awarded the two-stage design and build contract following their close working relationship with the client. A thorough technical and logistical understanding of the scheme supported their bid. The LSE appointed Osborne after successfully negotiating a lump sum price, based on value for money advice provided by the cost consultants, David Langdon. The design team comprises: Grimshaw (architect), Alan Baxter and Associates (structural engineer), Battle McCarthy Ltd (M & E consultant).
The new academic building faces Lincoln’s Inn Fields and is located on the corner of Kingsway and Sardinia Street. Grimshaw’s scheme involves the façade retention and extensive remodeling of the existing Edwardian building. Three new features – the atrium, the roof pavilion and the reinterpreted forecourt – collectively generate a modern educational environment that encourages learning, social interaction and public engagement. The prominent corner location enables the forecourt to relate directly to the open space of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The triple height atrium, at the heart of the building, fosters social interaction and unifies all the teaching spaces, linking the basement lecture theatres with the general teaching areas on levels 1 and 2. The roof pavilion accommodates executive meeting rooms and a function suite, with stunning views across Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
An innovative structural design incorporates the new features within the fabric of the existing building. The original façade is retained together with the perimeter floor
plate. An extensive temporary works scheme supports the building whilst the demolition and strengthening works are undertaken. To offer unobstructed views in the basement lecture theatre, columns do not support the structure in the traditional manner. Instead the roof of the lecture theatre is formed using 19m long precast concrete ribs connected to an in-situ concrete floor slab. The ribs curve up to the ground floor and meet a support truss suspended down from 8th floor level.
The LSE required that the building maximized the use of natural light and ventilation. Pre-cooled water, extracted from a borehole driven over 100m into the London chalk aquifer below, helps cooling purposes. Solar collectors and photovoltaic panels will be positioned on the roof to provide water heating and additional power. Future provision has also been made to accommodate helical wind turbines. The LSE has set a target BREEAM rating of “very good” and the team is well on its way to achieving this.
LSE’s Director of Planning and Development, Julian Robinson said “The new building is our first foray into Camden and will give the school a high profile presence on Kingsway and Lincoln’s Inn Fields, allowing LSE to re-plan and redevelop the existing Aldwych campus to accommodate increased student numbers. This will be a 21st century learning environment fit for a world-class institution. The project, with an overall value of £46 million, will be a benchmark for design quality and procurement approach for future LSE developments.”
Cliff Thomas, Divisional Director of Osborne in London, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract. It firmly establishes our leading position in the higher education sector.”
He continued, “This contract offers us the unique opportunity to demonstrate our management skills in constructing the complex modernization of an existing Edwardian structure.”
Neven Sidor, Grimshaw’s Director in Charge of the project said: “The New Academic Building will provide LSE with an exemplary academic environment, which promotes learning and social interaction. Subtle interventions in the existing facade and the vibrant new forecourt will enhances LSE’s presence and connect with the surrounding urban context of Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Kingsway.”
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