University of Plymouth
Project value £7.7m
Gross floor area 4,170sq.m
Completed 2008
BREEAM Very Good

Nancy Astor Building : University of Plymouth

The Nancy Astor building, uniting two contrasting forms on its single plinth of Plymouth limestone, mediates not only between the campus spine and the once forgotten Drakes Place Reservoir, but also between university and town. The sports hall is clad in oak with glazing below, and in sharp contrast a formal composition in Portland stone houses academic offices with a public café and waterside terrace beneath. Each façade is modelled according to aspect, with high-level vents to cool the soffit at night and internal chimneys to serve a low energy assisted natural ventilation system.