The new studio for the Liverpool School of Architecture consists of a steel frame open plan space over the existing “Budden Building”. It’s silver structure, green carpet and multi level activity space has become an icon for the school and launched King McAllister (KM) onto the international architectural scene.
The Student Services Centre had been part of KM’s major work for the University of Liverpool. The project along with the Guild of Undergraduates was an important precursor to shedkm’s subsequent work. In both projects ideas involving the use of primary colour with clear forms and sharp detail had emerged.
The Guild of Students required a remodelling of this 1962 building to make use of a redundant inner courtyard, improve circulation, maximise bar area and reflect the aims and aspirations of the student body in the 1990’s.
The centrepiece of the design capitalises on the space provided by the original elegant but little-used courtyard and creates a new multi-purpose internal space.
The main area of the new build can be seen as a separate entity within the old shell. An in-situ concrete slab at first floor level, pierced by round rooflights and air-inlet louvres, supports a steel wedge-shaped monolite which gives the building an indicator to the street.
The design uses free standing mezzanines to provide platforms for interview cabins and seminar spaces and employs a system of interchange units in place of conventional rooflights to bring fresh air and shaded light to the centre of the deep floor plan.