Queen Mary University of London

Dramatic presence and an eye-catching facade

The Project

Part of the School of Humanities, the 5-storey building contains a large auditorium, studios, teaching and administration facilities designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects Limited for Queen Mary’s University of London at its Mile End Campus. The new film and drama studio is clad in distinctive glass panels – digitally printed with artwork by the artist Jacqueline Poncelet.  QMUL is highly ranked amongst UK universities for the provision of arts and humanities courses.


Building Control

Oculus provided the building control services for the multi-million pound Humanities Building and assisted the Design Team with the challenging issue of ensuring the building was not affected by noise and vibration from the nearby underground system.  At foundation level the structure is effectively bearing on anti-vibration pads to limit noise and vibration migrating into the building’s structure.

Since 2002, Oculus has provided the building control services for many of the phases of the Mile End Campus student village, where award winning buildings have created 1,200 student rooms, restaurants, retail and other facilities. The Humanities Building is an important element of its on-going development and has pride of place prominently positioned on the Mile End Road – a main arterial route into central London.


CASE STUDY
Knole - Conservation Studio

The Conservation Studio is a new facility dedicated to conserving historical objects of the Knole collection. Located in a medieval barn, the Studio has been carefully converted into a two storey building with the original pitched roof profile having been restored after a fire in 1887. The new purpose designed Studio will offer an insight into the work of conservators and their important contribution to the conservation profession. Visitors will be able to observe specialists from multiple conservation disciplines in one location, and gain insight into a world rarely seen from behind closed doors. 

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CASE STUDY
Gloucester Cathedral

Project Pilgrim will improve and restore specific areas of the Cathedral to ensure it can fulfil its role as a place of dynamic spiritual, civic and heritage activity and play a key role in the regeneration of the city.

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CASE STUDY
Island Pavilion, Wormsley Estate

As the name suggests, the Island Pavilion is located on an island within the magnificent Wormsley Estate. The jewel-like building, clad with glass and metal, sits serenely in the historic landscape.  The private dining facilities within are used during the summer opera season for Garsington Opera who have a magnificent performance pavilion on the Wormsley Estate. To the design of architects Robin Snell and Partners, the attention to detail in all aspects of design and construction makes this building a modern addition to the estate. The Pavilion is designed to fit seamlessly with the topography of the island and take maximum advantage of the panoramic views across the lake.

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