Imperial College

Imperial College London is renowned world wide for the exemplary quality of its Engineering School. Located in the heart of Westminster on Exhibition Road, Imperial College enjoys a highly visible profile in one of London’s most respected areas and close proximity to such landmarks as the Royal Albert Hall, the Science and Natural Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The competition aims to provide a new home for the School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering as well as a ‘show case’ for the entire college.

The proposal celebrates the three essential aspects of learning; the gathering of knowledge; the sharing of knowledge and the assimilation of knowledge. The large open plan undercroft, home to wind tunnels, hydrodynamic basins and flight simulators represents the gathering of knowledge; this space is bounded by the softly curve underside of the auditoria; the sharing of knowledge; and the upper levels, a series of highly efficient open floors for the academic staff representing the assimilation of knowledge.

The building acts as a solar collector. The louvres on the facades allow these to be highly glazed and; allied to the use of an Aquifer Thermal Energy Store system ensure the proposal can provide 30% renewable energy. The thermal mass of the concrete frame is utilised to temper the environment in the teaching spaces. The whole is united by a large scale frame whose solidity and formality enhances the open colonnade of the existing main entrance to Imperial College.