48 PROJECT REPORT: EDUCATION & RESEARCH FACILITIES


BREAKING DOWN THE MONOLITH


Roof terraces leading from the buildings’ four atria have been cut into upper stories to break down what would have a been a monolithic steel facade


project into a human and inspirational space”. He says MEC Hall has achieved this: “In spite of its size, it doesn’t impose, it feels comfortable.”


The chief means of breaking down the massing of MEC Hall is four glazed atria which form the focus for each of the departments, connected by a ‘main street’ that runs the full length and height of the building. Situated within the atria are wide steel staircases; the very open overall circulation producing a “walkable and understandable” result. Diesfeldt hopes that students will “quickly start to understand how the building works, and not need the wayfinding signage.”


Further breaking down what Otto says is ostensibly a “big brick of a building,” are accessible roof terraces cut into upper stories, leading from the atria stairs and creating some variation in the steel mesh


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facade. These offset what could have been a very brutal roofline, and contribute to the ‘readability’ of the building, and to the “variety of spaces which you can relate to and make your own.” Similar terraces are also found on the Upper Brook Street Building.


The architects wanted however to strike a contrast between MEC Hall and the brick- clad buildings surrounding it. “We were looking for a building that explained its engineering logic,” says Otto. The deliberately factory-like dark steel mesh exterior both celebrates its generous 10.8 m grid, but also creates drama, while alleviating its overall scale with a combination of permeability and strength. Along with fitting the design intent of a simple structure and a palette of “honest” materials (chiefly steel and brick), the exterior of MEC Hall also subtly weaves in


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