September 15 2020

The University of Aberdeen has taken forward plans to build a new teaching and learning hall within existing buildings at King's College.

A complex series of interventions will be led by Reiach & Hall Architects to repurpose the space and improve access; including demolition of 1950's extensions to the James MacKay Hall together with alterations to the Cromwell Tower, Old Senate Wing and 1921 library book stack.

At the heart of the King's Quarter will be a new learning hall defined by a tiered timber roof structure which takes inspiration from the historic hammer-beam roof of the adjacent Elphinstone Hall.

Outlining their approach the architects wrote: "... the timber structure acts as a diffuser for natural light coming into the space and internally as a visual diffuser to control views of high-level services.

"The spread of light across the slats will form planes of subtle illuminance. The tiers aren't centred but asymmetrically setout over the volume over the main space - their orientation directed toward the south to aid the spread of natural light."

The application follows plans for a new business school as part of a broader campus redevelopment strategy.

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Whispering Andy on 15 Sep 2020 at 14:21 PM

whisper it..... that is a truly outstanding piece of design. Hats off Reiach & Hall Architects

#2 Posted by Pail Merk on 15 Sep 2020 at 18:53 PM

Reminds me of the interior of the philosophy building at the Goethe Universitaet Frankfurt - superb.

#3 Posted by Jim Bob on 16 Sep 2020 at 08:52 AM

Ack it looks like a poundshop version of Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool

#4 Posted by CJ on 16 Sep 2020 at 14:35 PM

Old Aberdeen is one of the most architecturally rich areas in the UK, yet library aside, little of note has been built in the last 100 years. This looks like a really powerful mix of old and new. Nice.

#5 Posted by Don Diamante on 18 Sep 2020 at 12:01 PM

I almost can't believe I'm looking at a truly top quality piece of design for the city of Aberdeen.
Absolutely incredible work with the roof design, wonderful!

#6 Posted by Blueintheface on 18 Sep 2020 at 16:47 PM

Holds breath...

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