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Opposite: Performance at the LUSU nightclub Left: Complete refurbish- ment of the Percy Gee Building
temperature and carbon dioxide levels and adjusts the amount of fresh air entering. Renewal of mechanical and electrical services had included
rewiring using modern, energy efficient light fittings, and heat is now mainly sourced sustainably from a biomass woodchip boiler, backed up by a gas boiler in case of disruption to supplies. The original building was built with load bearing, thick
brick walls and solid floors, giving a good thermal mass. Floor slabs in the new section are heavy concrete construction, adding to this effect. Day to day liaison with Morgan Sindall was through
Ambalavanar Kumaran, deputy chief executive of the students’ union. He says the project has been a success in providing a union building that is now “an attractive environment and a focal point for the campus, the main attraction is the Square which we think of as being the campus’ ‘living room’. It’s one of the best student union buildings in the country.” This improved environment has enabled the union to attract
big name business partners such as O2 Academy. “They are a well-known brand in live music, and the night-
club means we have a venue that can attract the biggest names,” adds Kumaran. Union president Alex Nutt was a student throughout the
refurbishment period. He says: “Students were understanding about the builders’ needs because they could see the building needed refurbishment and were looking forward to completion, so they were patient with the disruption. “Our staff were patient too, even though some had to move
office two or three times but they knew they would be getting a better working environment as result. “It’s been fantastic, the students love the new building and it’s
busy all the time.” No doubt the students also love being able to find their way
around easily.
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