STOCKWELL STREET BUILDING

CHAPTER 4.1

CASE STUDY 4: UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH STOCKWELL STREET BUILDING

The campus building is an example of successful biophilic architecture incorporated with intensive living roofs designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, and houses the central university library along with the Architecture, Landscape and Arts departments. Blahut from the RIBA describes how the building stepping down at the rear will allow “experimental allotments on the [landscaped] roofs… providing externally a series of generous terraces for the landscapers to experiment with a wide variety of layouts and species”69. Architecture students

73

Fig.13. Stockwell Street Building showing the roof gardens (University of Greenwich via. Glassdoor, n.d.)

Fig.14. 2nd floor plan with the roof gardens located to the east (not to scale) (Design Curial, 2014)

74

inhabiting the building should be inspired by the biophilia embellished, including a total of 14 modern roof terraces spanning the size of 12 tennis courts; its concept derived from the streets and the green massing of Greenwich Park neighbouring the building. Furthermore, biophilia also continues inside the building starting with the concept of courtyards and staircases used to separate classrooms and key spaces. In addition, fenestration is laboriously placed to frame key vistas and reflections, particularly on the long side elevation opposite the railway. The building allows plenty of natural light through and provides spacious areas with clear vertical circulation in addition to adequate acoustics. And finally, the central ‘crit’ atrium boasts a triple height space overseen by other floors to allow fresh air flow, which connects to the main internal focal point- the circulation stairs.

75