University College Cork student centre extension
features a strking glazed facade and new amphitheatre We
provided full structural and civil design services for the
University College Cork Student Centre extension and Honan Square
development.
The extension was built to the west of the existing Student Centre
in the main UCC campus. The structure comprises a reinforced
concrete basement with a three-storey reinforced concrete frame
overhead, incorporating flat slabs, and clad with precast concrete
wall panels.
A key feature is the building’s three-storey high atrium, which
consists of a structural steel frame with lightweight steel roof
and a 12.6m high structural glass façade. Along the southern
elevation of the building is a 40m long 12.6m high structural
glazed façade consisting of single glazed panes, which are tied
back onto 700mm wide glass fins. These fins are at 2m centres and
are suspended from the steel roof structure above.
The building is supported on a combination of rock-bearing and
continuous flight auger piled foundations in karstified limestone.
Rotary piles were used in certain locations due to the presence of
swallow holes in the limestone. The existing stonewalls and the
foundations of the existing building were temporarily supported on
raked soil nails to facilitate construction of the new basement.
External works entailed 4000m
2 of paving and landscaping
and included construction of a new 23m diameter amphitheatre.
