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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Ogden Centre in Durham, England by Studio LibeskindMarch 31st, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Studio Libeskind Durham University has opened its new £11.5 million Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics designed by Studio Libeskind (New York). Durham University is one of the world’s leading institutions in cosmology and space science and it is hoped that the new Ogden Centre building will further cement this position. The new Centre will accommodate the rapid growth and academic success of Durham’s research into fundamental physics, enabling it to maintain its leading global position in the decades ahead.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow
 Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow
 Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Located next to the Department of Physics on Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham City, UK, the 2,478 square-metre building houses the Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC), one of the world’s premier cosmology research groups, the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA) and the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI). The new Ogden Centre includes eighty new offices for researchers, postgraduate research students, support staff and visiting academics.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Professor Carlos Frenk, Director of the Institute for Computational Cosmology, at Durham University, said: “The new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics represents a wonderful contribution to the unique architectural heritage of Durham City. Its design reflects the requirements of a top-class research centre, dedicated to seeking answers to some of the most fundamental questions about our Universe such as: How and when did our Universe begin? What is it made of? How did galaxies and other structures form? The new building is an amazing place in which to work.”  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow The Design A spiral in plan, the Centre is designed as continuous, stacked and interlocking forms. Clad in a ventilated timber rain screen built from responsibly sourced Scottish larch, the dynamic façade is punctuated with linear bands of operable strip windows and a series of outdoor terraces. In addition, canted curtain walls on the north and south faces bookend the form of the spiral and provide spectacular views of picturesque Durham City and Durham Cathedral. The active form of the building unifies a rigorous, repetitive programme of private work spaces along its perimeter with a communal multi-story interior space activated by gathering spaces and a massive central skylight. A new identity has been created for the Centre resulting in unique individualized workspace that engenders a sense of connection and community.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Daniel Libeskind said: “This project is an example of how to design a highly-sustainable, dynamic building within tight programme requirements. Light and openness is at the core of the design; at every move in the design process we incorporated simple, yet robust materials and considered the users’ experience to create this important building for Durham University.”  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Visitors to the Centre enter through a glazed lobby infused with light. The interiors employ a natural palette of soft grey concrete columns and ceilings, paired with warm wood finishes and frosted glass. Pushing the offices to the perimeter of the Centre allows each space to benefit from natural light and ventilation. In addition, glazed doors and screens further transmit light from the exterior to the central atrium. Generous roof terraces create spaces for impromptu meetings or places to simply relax and enjoy fresh air. Skylights marshal light into the central atrium and meeting areas. The entire programme of the building is wrapped around a series of flexible, communal spaces.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow The ground floor areas are open and available to the public, with a seminar/meeting room (100 seats) that can be used for events. The second floor features a central social space where staff and research students can work together on an informal basis. This central area can also serve as a setting for formal dinners, fundraisers, presentations, or special announcements. Adjacent breakout rooms with videoconferencing facilities will allow group discussions and wider collaboration. The third floor houses additional office space and is open to the floors below.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Engineering The complex program and the unique spiral form of the building required creative engineering solutions. Column locations had to be carefully considered, some of them sloping to respond to the architectural geometry of the building, through the unique floor plans. The thoughtfully positioned columns enable flexible room layouts to allow for the University to expand areas and move around in the space – catering to the future needs of the Center. Arup provided structural, mechanical, electrical and public health, engineering on the project as well as specialist consulting services in acoustics, facades, geotechnics and fire engineering.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Andrew Wilkinson, Project Director at Arup said: “The UK has a world-renowned science and research community, and Durham University is no exception. This new facility creates new office and learning space that provides a visually inspiring environment for the next generations’ world-leading researchers and physicists.” Sustainability The Ogden Centre is highly energy efficient: careful attention was paid to quality of the user environment; the selection of sustainable materials; facilities are outfitted with showers and bike racks; its exposed concrete ceilings take advantage of the night-purge effect; LED fixtures are used throughout; renewable energy sources like a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic array on the roof are employed; and rainwater harvesting have been incorporated into the landscape.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow Official Opening The official opening of the centre will get underway on Thursday, 9 March, with a symposium including architect Daniel Libeskind; Professor Carlos Frenk, Director of Durham University’s Institute of Computational Cosmology; Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal; Professor Hiranya Peiris, Director of the Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmoparticle Physics, in Stockholm; and Professor Mark Hannam, of the School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University. Lord Rees will unveil a plaque formally marking the opening of the new building on the morning of Friday, 10 March.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow About Studio Libeskind Studio Libeskind is an international architecture practice headquartered in New York City. The Studio is involved in designing and realizing a diverse array of urban, cultural and commercial projects internationally. The Studio has completed buildings that range from museums and concert halls to convention centers, university buildings, hotels, shopping centers and residential towers. Daniel and his partner Nina Libeskind established Studio Daniel Libeskind in Berlin, Germany, in 1989 after winning the competition to build the Jewish Museum Berlin. In February 2003, Studio Daniel Libeskind moved its headquarters from Berlin to New York City when Studio Libeskind was selected as the master planner for the World Trade Center redevelopment.  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow About Durham University A world top 100 university with a global reputation and performance in research and education (QS and THE World University Rankings 2016/17 https://www.dur.ac.uk/about/rankings ). In the 2017 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Durham was ranked fourth in the UK. A member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities. Research at Durham shapes local, national and international agendas, and directly informs the teaching of our students. Ranked 39 globally for the employability of its students by blue-chip companies world-wide (QS World University Rankings 2016/17).  Image Courtesy © Hufton+Crow
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