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William Smith Building - Phase 1

Pick Everard, Nottinghamshire, 2009

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EFTE pillows run in full height sections around the atrium

Pick Everard Download Original

Timber-framed 3000m² open-plan office building for the British Geological Survey at Keyworth, Nottinghamshire

The office block takes the form of two three-storey rectilinear wings arranged in an ‘L’ formation with a quarter hemisphere atrium at the knuckle, clad in curving ETFE pillows. The atrium encloses curving stairs leading from open balconies at each floor level down to ground level.

The two wings - open plan with a few cellular offices - have stairs and cleaning facilities in a narrow block across each end, with lavatories and kitchens at the inside corner of the north block.

The contract called for a successful post-construction BREEAM review. Green aspirations meant measures such as sheep’s wool insulation, rainwater harvesting, low-energy TermoDeck HVAC and visibly natural and weathering materials such as terracotta, copper, timber and as this is a major centre for the study of geology, stone.