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Earth Sciences Dept. Bristol

Completed: 2003

This building is a new postgraduate research facility housing state of the art microprobes, demonstration and staff facilities behind the Grade II* listed Wills Memorial Building in the centre of Bristol. The site itself was a major challenge, being entirely "land locked" by surrounding University buildings, as well as being over two storeys below the street level on Woodland Road.

Our design created a new two storey building on the northern side of the Inner Court, flanked by the neo-gothic buttresses of the Great Hall and facing the rear of the Wills Memorial Building. An existing stairwell and toilet block was enlarged to include a lift and plant room above, and incorporated into the design as the "blue" element of the building. All other accommodation is in the new "Bath stone" coloured element.

The microprobe laboratories in particular have very stringent engineering and environmental requirements. These are located to the rear of the ground floor against a large retaining wall. Offices and write up spaces as well as less environmentally critical laboratories have a southerly aspect over the Inner Court. Brise soleil along this facade help to shade and moderate the effects of solar gain in these roomus.