Despite the scale of UCL’s estate, the University lacked high quality, external collegiate space. Through their masterplan, an opportunity was identified to create a new courtyard terrace above an existing service yard located behind the Wilkins Building. UCL’s original home, the area presents an opportunity for a new high-quality public realm space for both students and staff.
We developed the idea of enclosing the services yard as an undercroft, allowing the external space above to become the new amenity for a variety of uses. This is conceived as a contemporary stone landscaped terrace set within the historic courtyard. As well as being split-level with a new lift and grand staircase, this also creates new routes across the campus, bringing activity where previously there was little. A new ‘fourth façade’ completes the classical courtyard composition to the east and conceals the plethora of services required for the existing buildings and the new lower refectory. Constructed using Portland Stone and designed to classical Georgian proportions, the result is a contemporary interpretation of the surrounding historic architecture and helps to tie all the courtyard elements together.
For more details, read our Project Story.
Rationalising UCL's estate to create a new social hub at the heart of the campus.