The Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University
Project Introduction
The construction value of this project,
completed in 2007, was £34m. Scott Wilson was initially
commissioned by the University of Plymouth and then novated to HBG
for the structural design of the building under a two-stage design
build contract.
Project Background
The Roland Levinsky Building is the home of the Arts and
Architecture Faculties in the University, comprising 13.000 square
metres of floor space on 9 storeys. Copper clad, the building
is an iconic one in the centre of the city. It houses a
number of theatre and cinema spaces around a central atrium which
incorporates a water feature.
The three-dimensional geometry of the building is complex.
Other difficulties overcome during the design included the
discovery of significant archaeological features and serious
groundwater problems.
The building itself comprises a reinforced concrete frame with
post-tensioned slabs, long span beams and a steel roof
structure.
Project Scope
Scott Wilson provided structural and external
works design services.
Value Adding Project Achievements
A considerable amount of value engineering led
to a very efficient use of space within unusual 3-D shapes within
the envelope of the building. Walking columns were used to
enhance structural efficiency. Wind tunnel studies were used
to optimise cladding forces and to identify usable external
spaces. Fast track construction achieved design and build in
only three years at a very low cost per square metre for such an
iconic building.
