Core Architects and the Atrium Project Steering Group have now developed detailed designs for this summer’s Phase Two improvements to the Atrium. You can check out the designs below. Click on the plans to take a closer look, and let us know what you think in the comments. We’ll post further updates on the Learning Landscapes blog and @LincolnEstates on Twitter as the project progresses.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Atrium improvement programme, or if you’d like a refresher on the aims and scope of the scheme, you might like to read the earlier blog post on the Phase Two proposals.
New entrances
The new east and west entrance lobbies reduce draughts and improve the thermal stability of the Atrium, making it more comfortable for students, staff and visitors. Each lobby has a revolving door, automatic doors with push pads for wheelchair users, and fire escape doors for emergency egress.
Ground floor arrangement
The relocation of the stairwells as shown below opens up the ‘street’ which runs through the centre of the building, making it easier for students and staff to circulate between the Atrium and other spaces. The new coffee bar and cash tills are tucked into pods either side of the servery entrance, creating more space for circulation and soft seating. The existing alcoves in the northeast and northwest corners of the Atrium are enhanced with additional power and data for laptop and tablet users. The curved temporary welfare room is removed once new welfare facilities are provided in the kitchen area.
First floor arrangement
Two new learning lounges create much-needed additional comfortable seating for students and staff before, during and after their seminars and lectures. The lounges have handy power sockets, Wi-Fi and great views over the Brayford Pool and uphill Lincoln. On the existing landings, modular seating provides further comfortable seating while maintaining existing circulation routes in this busy area. A vending pod at the east end provides quick access to snacks and drinks between seminars.
Architects’ impressions
Below is a series of sketches which illustrate the new arrival sequence and circulation around the Atrium:
1. Approaching one of the new entrances.
2. Inside one of the new entrance lobbies, looking back at the revolving door.
3. The clarified internal ‘street’ through the building. Left: repositioned staircases and the Atrium itself. Centre-right: the new vending pod, servery till points, servery entrance, and coffee bar.
4. The new first floor learning lounges, linked to the existing landings and walkway and the repositioned stairs.
Love it.
Thanks, Nick! We love it too. Now to build it…
I still think the upper level may as well stretch over the entire expanse of the atrium.
Also, have you factored in the loss of seating areas due to moving the stairs? its hard to find a place to sit during lunch as it currently is.
Other than that, looks good.
Thanks, Dale.
The size of the mezzanines was considered in depth during the design process. The chosen design reflects a balance of cost, benefit, and impact on natural light and ventilation through the building.
The impact of repositioning the stairs is balanced by the creation of new seating areas on the ground and first floors. The total number of seats will be similar to that in the present arrangement, and we think non-diners will be more comfortable upstairs and in the two alcoves, maximising the number of seats available for diners.
These tradeoffs are quite tricky but we’re confident we’ve made the right ones.
At last a revolving door.
My issue is should there be a pair to match the opening doors, with one centre for disabled.
As the illustration shows quite a narrow revolving door
Or one large revolving and disabled access eack side.
Thinking of bottlenecks.
Thanks, Chris.
We have studied numerous options for the lobbies, including pairs of revolving doors. The chosen design is the best solution given the traffic flows through the building and the requirements for universal access and emergency egress. The revolving door has been enlarged during the design process, and the chosen unit has a diameter of 2.4 metres.
Looks good Sam – is there any option for opening up some kind of main reception centre somewhere on Campus? It may not even have to be this building, although that might make sense – it would make it easier to direct new visitors to the campus to a central check-in point …just a thought. Like the idea of learning lounges!
Thanks, Deborah.
The Student Support Centre on the ground floor of the MAB is also the University Reception. This branding appears on our outdoor campus maps and some signs, but clearly not everyone knows about or uses it.
All of the maps and signage in and around the building need review in the context of these changes (and the potential renaming of the building) and the reception would be a key item to pick out more clearly on the new signs.
It looks great but I can’t say I’m too sure of the revolving doors (whichever size). The revolving doors at my college would get jammed with people in a rush touching them and the unit stopping and the whole concept is very slowing. Will there be extra normal doors either side?
I agree. The revolving doors at Morrison are stupid at busy times (ie: between lectures). What’s wrong with automatic doors?
Thanks, Ash and Tom. The architects have considered many options including hinged, sliding and revolving automatic and manual doors, and combinations thereof. This solutions is based on the traffic flows through the entrances and the need to improve the building’s heat retention in the winter months, both for student and staff comfort in the Atrium and for environmental performance. Revolving doors are the only type which maintain a wind barrier while people are coming in and out of the building.
I notice Morrisons are just in the process of removing their revolving doors. Perhaps you could save a few quid by buying theirs second hand?
Thanks Ben – our doors will be very different!
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