Education
University College London
Developing a contemporary teaching space in record time for UCL
2 Floors
15 Weeks
22,000 Sq Ft
The Challenge
To complete a full strip out, followed by Cat A and Cat B works in a 35,000 sq. ft space, turning it into a variety of teaching areas whilst bringing a project that was overrunning on time and cost back in line with UCL’s targets.
The Solution
By bringing in our experienced team, our in-house skillsets and our tried and tested approaches we were able to adapt the original design of the space to meet the needs and requirements whilst making cost and time savings.
The Result
This was the first time that UCL opted to use design and build instead of more traditional development methods, and the result is a stylish space that was ready on time and on budget without compromising on the architectural design.
As part of a project that had been overrunning on cost and time, we worked with the leading university to create a multidisciplinary teaching space whilst bringing it back on budget.
University College London (UCL) is consistently recognised as one of the top 10 universities in the world, dating back to 1826 and offering a diverse range of courses to more than 50,000 students from over 150 different countries.
With buildings across London, part of maintaining their status as a wonderful place to learn is to ensure their facilities remain at the forefront of the educational realm. However, with a busy curriculum, renovating, updating and adding to their portfolio always needs to be done with precision focus and against tight schedules.
Fast track to success
When they took on a new building with a 10-year lease in North West London, the multidisciplinary space faced two challenges. The first was that it required a fast-track approach that the traditional development route couldn’t facilitate.
The second issue was that their development works were already running significantly over budget, and they needed a solution to fitting out the building that presented the best results, but that brought the process back in line with funding.
As a result, they chose to work with Maris in a design and build approach.
Design, time and budget
The architectural plans had been developed by UCL’s own Bartlett School of Architecture, and the 22,000 sq ft space required a full strip out, followed by Cat A and Cat B works to create a variety of teaching spaces. These needed to be aligned with the architects’ plans, but using our design and build approach to make sure it came in on time and on budget. By utilising our tried and tested processes, overseeing all the costings and streamlining processes through our complete in-house team, we were able to deliver the full space within the 15 week timeframe.
A multifaceted space
The space featured a combination of teaching and learning areas, with different seating options for students to spend time in, while a kitchen and lounge area offer views of the city. We kept the look fresh and youthful by retaining the exposed ceilings and painting them white. We also divided the space with modular furniture and timber walls, which doubled as storage solutions to optimise the environment whilst offering a low-cost approach to materials. The addition of plant life throughout softens the facility and creates a sense of wellbeing.
A space that has it all
The result is a stylish and sophisticated education space that offers students an environment that feels like a welcoming and supportive university but with sophisticated nods towards the type of working world they will matriculate to after their studies.