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The Richard Doll Building, University of Oxford
Levolux - just the solution for new research facility
When leading architects Nicholas Hare required a shading solution to control the climate of the new, predominately glass, Richard Doll Building at the University of Oxford, who better than Levolux, the UK’s leader in the design, manufacture and installation of solar shading solutions, to provide the answer.
allow natural light into the building whilst minimising solar heat gain
With the extensive use of glass on the building’s façade, an external shading solution was the obvious choice. Levolux, with their vast knowledge and experience in working on prestigious and landmark buildings, worked in partnership with Nicholas Hare to achieve the right solution for the new medical research centre. As a result, Levolux designed and extruded a one-piece 500mm rectangular shaped aluminium fin that was stacked vertically to allow natural light into the building whilst minimising solar heat gain.
an effective monolithic shade
Levolux also produced a bespoke and totally unique bank of vertically stacked lightweight tubular louvres – again extruded in one-piece aluminium, diameter 50mm diameter and positioned at 50mm intervals. Inspired by the orient, Nicholas Hare wanted to achieve a busy focus for one particular elevation of the new building to create an effective monolithic shade.
The louvres, not only allow natural light into the building, but they also act as a safety balustrade designed to prevent people from falling from the building. Behind both sets of louvres are maintenance walkways.
necessary protection whilst complementing the modern design of the building
“With the new building set to house some of the world’s most pioneering clinical trials, it was paramount that the research staff and students had a working environment that matched their needs,” commented Paul Baxter, Project Manager for Nicholas Hare Architects. “ Levolux demonstrated that they had the ability and expertise to design a system of horizontal fins that would offer the necessary protection whilst complementing the modern design of the building.”
Virtually maintenance free, the system can be used on both new and existing buildings. Like all systems from Levolux, it is backed with the company’s design, manufacture and installation package and can be produced in a variety of finishes, including timber, glass, mill finished, anodised or polyester powder coated, to co-ordinate with the overall architectural design of any building. The fins are a non-retractable system that can be mounted at a fixed angle, adjustable, motorised or be fully automated with solar controls.
The Richard Doll building is a new building at Oxford University that will house the University’s Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit, Cancer Research UK Epidemiological Unit and part of the Department of Public Health. Funded by a Joint Infrastructure Fund grant, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and the university, the £19 million project began in January 2003 and has just been completed.
The building is named after Sir Richard Doll, the eminent doctor who discovered the link between smoking and cancer.
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| Architect: | Nicholas Hare Architects |
| Products used: | Aluminium Fins |
| Bespoke Solution |