William Smith Building - Phase 1
Subscribe now to instantly view this image
Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
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.
Data
- Begun: Sep 2007
- Completed: Mar 2009
- Floor area: 1,180m2
- Sector: Office
- Total cost: £6.2M
- Funding: Private
- Procurement: NEC3 design and build
- Address: Nicker Hill , Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Pick Everard
- Client: Natural Environment Research Council, British Geological Survey
- Main contractor: SOL Construction
- Quantity surveyor: Turner and Townsend
- Structural engineer: Ramboll Whitbybird
- Services engineer: Zisman Bowyer & Partners
