Union Building Redevelopment - Work has started !!
Wednesday 28 Jun 2006
Even the builders are excited
Another £1/2 million for the redevelopment !!
This brings the total raised this year to £2.2 Million! This addition to the building funds comes from the IC Trust, a fund set up by the Beit family which has helped many Imperial student projects over the years. This latest and largest donation from the IC Trust comes as part of the Union's fundraising campaign to raise £6 million for the redevelopment.
When will it start?
It already has!! - Work started on 22nd June to the roof of the Union building and work has gradually started on the interior of the building the week after - the week after term finished. To be ready for this, the contractors have been preparing on site, with various preparation work being carried out (you’ll have noticed the structural surveyors at work with their theodolites).
What work will happen exactly?
The work that will be done – “Phase 1” – will address the central stairwell area and DaVinci’s. The plan for Phase 1 has changed over the last few months as more information was gathered and it was clearer what the best course of action will be & best use of money. The finalised plan for Phase 1 is:
• A new 13 person lift (required to fit in with Disability Discrimination Act regulations).
• Complete refurbishment of the central stairwell with new flooring and revitalised décor.
• New information facilities
• New inbuilt cash machine.
• Opening up of DaVinci’s windows to French doors on to the Quad.
• New flooring and new furniture for DaVinci’s
• A mezzanine floor to the 2nd floor foyer, giving additional storage and meeting space and access to ICU Cinema room
• Modification to the Concert Hall to allow for Club & Society storage.
• New ICT equipment in the Concert Hall to allow for wireless coverage to all parts of the Union Building to be implemented.
Access to parts of the building.
Until full work starts on the 26th, all areas of the building can be accessed, but contractors will be on site for parts of the day. After that there will be limited access (at different stages) in the central stairwell and DaVinci’s.
For those using the building over the summer, access to rooms can be via the East and West staircases (signage will be around). Changing rooms in the west side of the building will be inaccessible as they will be used by the builders.
A ground floor bar will also be open when DaVinci’s is in accessible during the summer –
Some of what has happened since the last update?
Since the last update, the contractors have been appointed – ISG Exteriors and ISS Building services, the lift has been ordered, detail work to the Mechanical & Electrical design has continued as well as structural surveys and associated work and we’ve been liaising with those who work or store items in the areas that are affected to relocate.
As the building work approaching, the architects, engineers, contractors, cost consultants, the Union and College have worked more closely together to get everything in sync.
Energy Efficiency
Carbon Trust have also begun their consultation with us, having given us some preliminary advice and will be submitting their report over the summer. If work they propose is feasible then it will be incorporated into later Phases of building work.
When will it finish?
Phase 1 is expected to finish in November, though works will be suspending all through Freshers’ week to enable Fresher week events to take place. DaVinci’s will be ready for Freshers’ week.
Confused or have comments?
If you have any further queries or comments, or something is not clear here, please contact the President:
Scott Heath
(020) 7594 8060
IC Extension 58061