The Gower Street project comprised the ‘back to shell’ strip-out and refit refurbishment of UCL’s five-storey building to create a new Graduate Hub for tutors and students. The aspiration was to improve public engagement activities by providing high quality accommodation for Computer Science, general teaching, students and staff.

Accommodation included cellular and shared offices with break out space to encourage communication and interaction, as well as flexible study space for postgraduates.  The ability to remodel easily for exhibitions/receptions and other activities through the academic year was key to the design.  A new executive-standard teaching space was created to enhance the student experience along with a specific postgraduate student hub to support their needs. Access was updated to achieve DDA compliance by the addition of a ramp and automated doors as part of a new glazed inner lobby in order to achieve Listed Building consents.  In addition, thermal improvements to the building’s environmental performance were made by installing new windows and a lining the external wall.

The design was undertaken in Revit and the new and enhanced environmental created enabled the project to achieve a Gold SKA rating.