Location:
Campus Central, University of Stirling
Client:
Sector:
Woolgar Hunter were appointed as civil, structural and geo-environmental engineers to assist with the landmark redevelopment project at the heart of the University campus. The award winning project includes the refurbishment of the original atrium, study area and retail concourse alongside a new 3 storey extension to provide a modern gateway into the various exiting buildings it connects.
The new build extension makes the most of the wedge shape between the constraints of the existing buildings and the water main running through Queens Court, whilst also respecting the existing levels and tie in points.
Engineering Excellence
The building structure itself also works to respect these constraints by utilising different approaches at each floor level, ensuring the most effective solutions to maximise the space and experience. Concrete flat slabs were used at first floor to maximise the limited headroom at ground floor with the second floor continuing the concrete structure but changing the form to a concrete slab supported on a triangular arrangement of downstand beams. The downstand beams also forms the sawtooth effect at the perimeter by cantilevering beyond the building façade on the floor below. From here, the concrete columns then continue up to roof level where they support the glulam diagrid roof structure, also cantilevering out to complete the sawtooth effect.
The completed development has been very well received and breathes new life into the main hub of the campus, enhancing on the student experience with these facilities and the pedestrianisation of the previous bus terminal areas of Queens Court.
