Union Building, Bradford University

This project involved the enclosure of a large courtyard area into a covered Atrium, providing additional open-plan learning zones and teaching facilities. ECS produced a thermal model in order to predict the final effect.

Enclosing this area posed significant challenges in relation to the ventilation of the main building. The solution was a concerted system of underfloor heating and displacement ventilation.

Fire engineering was another key consideration, given a larger open plan area with a similar number of exit routes.

The employment of smoke ventilators and pressurised stair cores, combined with the design of access control and CCTV systems, were key to the solution. The new learning zone is also closed off at night when basement and ground floor club areas are in use.