Location:University of York, York, North Yorkshire
Client:University of York
Architect:Stephen Hill Architects
Value:£3mAlan Wood & Partners provided the civil & structural design for a two-storey side extension to a leading research and development centre at the University of York.
The Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories were established in 2013 and were the first of their kind in the UK. They are a base for experimental and theoretical studies relating to the science of local and global air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change. Construction of the new extension followed demolition of the Harold Fairhurst building. The project also included reinstatement of the car park and some landscaping.
The ground conditions on site were particularly poor which necessitated a hybrid foundation solution to eliminate the requirement for a piled foundation, which would otherwise have added significant cost and disruption to the project.
Alan Wood & Partners also provided the design of the structural systems and drainage scheme, incorporating sustainable drainage principles to restrict surface water run-off from the site and minimise the overall risk of surface water flooding due to the development.
Another significant aspect of the work was ensuring access was maintained to the rest of the labs and making sure the surrounding areas remained operational. The selection of structural systems was pivotal in ensuring disruption to existing users was minimised.
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