ICoSS Building
Sheffield

This project will to provide a new interdisciplinary research facility for the Social Sciences faculty at the University. The brief was to create a state-of-the-art laboratory, maximising use of sustainable technology, and forming an important landmark at the hub of the proposed new Jessops campus.

The Informatics Collaboratory is approximately 1850 sq m of new-build, on 5 floors. The building includes a small public open space, which provides an opportunity for a new pedestrian link to the Jessops campus, and on which the main entrance is located.

The design represents a landmark facility, in terms of its sustainable performance and its physical presence. The new open space is to be animated by an elevated, sculptural conference room, which will open new views across the site and form a dramatic marker for the new building's entrance. The laboratory floors are to be aligned against a south-facing atrium which will contain the primary vertical and horizontal circulation, and act as a thermal collector to drive the passive stack natural ventilation. Additionally, to express the environmental aims of the client, the roof level will be used as a roof garden, with benefits to building insulation and rainwater run-off control, as well as establishing a dramatic external space.