Week 7 - Building design near you

My choice of building and urban landscape near me is Anglia Ruskin University, Young Street, Cambridge, just a short distance along New Street from my house.  Phase 1 is almost ready for use and I have had the opportunity to see the site developed.

There are two parts to the current stage of the development: the newly built Health Building; and a Victorian primary school, known as the Ragged School, which has been renovated to form the Music Therapy Centre.

Health Building from New Street

Health Building from New Street

Health Building from St. Matthew's Street

Health Building from Young Street

Music Therapy Centre from Young Street

Music Therapy Centre from Young Street

Solar PV just visible over the roof of Brunswick Nursery School

Close up of brise soleil on south side of Health Building

Dormer window and roof lights on Music Therapy Centre

Long shot from outside my front door

Features of note on the Health Building are the chimney-like structures which act as (passive?) ventilation stacks; the smaller, non-opening, windows on the north side to reduce heat loss and limit road noise from New Street; the brise soleil (louvres) on the south side to reduce direct sunlight but still take full advantage of natural light; and, just about visible, solar photovoltaic panels on the roof angled to improve energy collection.

Note that the brise soleil only cover the upper part of the south side of the Health Building. The next phase will be another building that will shade the lower part.

The Music Therapy Centre is an excellent example of the renovation of an older building.  Many of the original external features have been retained.  New double-glazing is in keeping with the style of the building and there appears to be secondary glazing on some windows which should improve both thermal and acoustic performance.  The stepped entrance has been replaced with an access-friendly ramp and handrails.

I think that heating of both buildings is by gas.  There is a large gas main entering The Ragged School and I have seen exhaust or condensate coming from the nearest of the stacks to my house which has an extra dimple on top.

There is no car parking on site but there is parking for around 250 bicycles.  Staff and students will be expected to use walking, bikes or public transport.

One tiny criticism is that there are lights set at pavement level shining vertically up through the outside 'V' of each od the pair of ventilation stacks.  This seems an unnecessary waste of energy and a source of light pollution.

Even though I took all my pictures from public space around the building I received attention from a member of Anglia Ruskin University security staff!  I explained that it was for a personal project but he didn't seem convinced.  Take care when taking pictures.