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London Metropolitan University, School of Art, Architecture and Design

Completion Date 2012

Contract Value £1.3m

Client London Metropolitan University

Working with the academic team at London Met’s Architecture Research Unit (ARU), ArchitecturePLB developed and prepared the design to move the School of Architecture and Spatial Design into refurbished space near Aldgate East. The design is conceived as a strip-out back to the shell of the building, allowing new insertions to create the briefed spaces, including cellular Diploma studios; the ‘boulevard’ – a central circulation, social learning and exhibition space; meeting and crit rooms; new toilets; and open plan, flexible studio space.

The proposed design includes a palette of self-finished materials, exposed services and localised ‘making good’ of existing elements. The project includes creating new structural voids through the existing slabs with new connections made from bespoke joinery items; these ‘domestic stairs’ aim to encourage communication between floors and a sense of shared identity.