design solutions
administration accommodation. The new Launchpad building was to be designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and a 10% improvement on Part L of the Building Regulations was also to be targeted. The planning of the building was also to maximise the opportunity for interaction among those occupying it; to become a melting pot in which ideas and projects might flourish within a stimulating studio workspace environment all with stunning views across the Cornish countryside. Architecturally, Launchpad was designed to respond to AIR (it’s a very similar form) and is linked by the ‘Creative Bridge’ which is formed in a completely different architectural language. The three elements form a string of buildings which run along the northern edge of the campus above the main approach road. The position of the Creative Bridge provides the University with a landmark building (or series of buildings) which announces the presence of the University on the Penryn campus. In response to this exciting brief, BDP developed an early concept which provided Launchpad with an open, free-flowing space in a similar form to the AIR building. However, it was interesting to be able to revisit the decisions we’d made during the design development of AIR and how we might improve upon them. For Launchpad we made subtle changes and improvements to the plan and environmental control. For example, in
contrast to AIR, the upper level extends out to the north facing curtain wall glazing which allowed our engineers to eliminate a row of columns on the lower level. We also introduced a series of roof lights along the whole of the upper space in order to improve the level of natural daylight within the deep plan space. The green roof also carries 100sqm of PV cells which, for cost reasons, were not included on AIR. The position and shape of the main
staircase also differs from that of AIR; it is central to the plan within a generous void area; better for light penetration from above and better for interaction among users between floors. The remainder of the office floors
provide clear-span flexible space in which desks are arranged in various work- settings to suit each of the Launchpad enterprises. Innovative furniture settings provide breakout and meeting spaces and there are ample opportunities for informal meetings to take place around the various group tables and in the open kitchen areas. Support accommodation in the form of kitchens, WCs, private meeting rooms and printing facilities are all housed on the south side of the plan allowing the office areas to gain maximum benefit from the large expanse of north-facing glazing and views across the Cornish countryside. The acoustic measures designed into the fabric of the office spaces provides for a flat and non- reverberant workspace
which allows private conversations to occur without disturbing those involved on other projects; The Launchpad working environment, much like that of AIR, provides space in which to think. The Creative Bridge was designed from the outset to showcase the activities of Launchpad, AIR and the Falmouth University as a whole. It is finished to the very highest standards providing pure open spaces at entrance level which, as well as providing function and exhibition space also assist in being a calm transition zone among AIR, Launchpad and the VC’s suite of offices above. As the ‘face’ of Falmouth University is performs wonderfully well.
Both Falmouth University and BDP are rightly proud of the Launchpad project; not only have we brought about two new beautiful and flexible and spaces each of which has tangible benefit to both students and the profile of the University, but we have also ‘completed’ an architectural composition formed of AIR, Creative Bridge and Launchpad. The three buildings now read as a single entity and form a gateway to the Penryn Campus as well as beacon which signals Falmouth University as a place which promotes exciting architecture and which takes design seriously. The project was completed in two phases - September 2018 (Launchpad) and October 2018 (Link) – for a cost of £6.4m (£1,680 per square metre). The contractor was the Devon-based regional firm EBC. Our client, Ken Johnson, Falmouth’s
director of estates says: “BDP have shown a great understanding of our needs as a client. They have responded to a fast moving brief with an innovative and flexible design solution which will enable the Launchpad to grow and to fulfil its exciting potential as an industry-leading initiative.”
www.bdp.com
www.ebc-ltd.com
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