University of Oxford, Mathematical Institute Topping Out

Junto con el plan maestro de la University of Oxford’s para el Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, terminado en 2006, Rafael Viñoly Architects fue contratado para diseñar el Mathematical Institute (Instituto de Matemáticas). El nuevo edificio consolida un departamento, que anteriormente se había extendido en varias ubicaciones de la ciudad, ofrece un nuevo enfoque y una identidad que equilibra las necesidad de los investigadores con la creciente importancia de la colaboración interdisciplinaria.

De acuerdo con el plan maestro general, el exterior del Instituto de Matemáticas es sensible a los edificios históricos próximos del lugar, al tiempo lo que incrementa el rendimiento medioambiental del edificio. La fachada de auto-sombreado emplea lamas verticales ajustables para reducir la ganancia solar en el sur y el oeste y maximiza la luz natural al norte y al este. Las rejillas permiten la entrada de luz natural en las oficinas de la facultad y al mismo tiempo aseguran la privacidad al minimizar las vistas desde el exterior.

Al igual que la investigación matemática en sí, el edificio es un poco introvertido. El exterior tenue respeta su contexto histórico, mientras que el atrio, el corazón social del edificio, es luminoso y espacioso, con una claraboya acristalada. Como espacio de reunión informal, el atrio se extiende casi a todo lo largo del edificio para fomentar la colaboración al permitir conexiones visuales y reuniones improvisadas entre los miembros de la facultad en todas las plantas. Una serie de puentes peatonales y escaleras proporcionan la circulación necesaria y animan el espacio entre los pisos. Los espacios de enseñanza se concentran en el entresuelo. Las salas de conferencias y de seminarios se organizan en torno a un gran espacio abierto que sirve a su vez como estudio informal y área social.

Original text in English

Rafael Viñoly Architects is proud to announce that the University of Oxford is currently celebrating the “Topping Out” of the Mathematical Institute, a landmark for the site and sets the stage for future development. Construction began in the summer of 2011 and completion will be achieved in 2013.

Along with the master plan for the University of Oxford’s new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, completed in 2006, Rafael Viñoly Architects was hired to design the Mathematical Institute. The new building consolidates a department that was previously spread across multiple locations in the city and provides a new focus and identity which balances researchers’ need for privacy with the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

In keeping with the overall master plan, the subdued exterior of the Mathematical Institute is sensitive to the historic buildings near the site while increasing the building’s environmental performance. The self-shading façade employs adjustable vertical louvers to reduce solar gain on the south and west elevations and maximize daylight to the north and east elevations. The louvers permit ample light to enter the faculty offices while simultaneously ensuring privacy by minimizing views into the building from outside.

Like mathematics research itself, the building is somewhat introverted. The subdued exterior respects its historic context while the atrium, the social heart of the building, is light-filled and spacious with a glazed clerestory overhead. Punctuated by informal gathering spaces, the atrium stretches nearly the entire length of the building to encourage collaboration by enabling visual connections and impromptu meetings between faculty members on all floors. A series of pedestrian bridges and feature stairs provides necessary circulation and animates the multistory space.
Teaching spaces are concentrated on the mezzanine level. Lecture theatres and seminar rooms are arranged around a large open space that serves as an informal study and social area. Natural light enters the mezzanine from the atrium above via crystalline light well structures at its base.
Winning the University of Oxford’s master plan competition for the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter guaranteed Rafael Viñoly Architects PC the opportunity to design the new campus’ Mathematical Institute. The university required approximately 130,000 square feet (12,000 square meters) of faculty, teaching, and social spaces for the mathematics department, and the master plan specified a parking garage in the lowest basement level.

The new building provides a workplace for over 500 academics and support staff, as well as a center for the academic life of approximately 1000 undergraduates and a diverse community of research fellows and lecturers. It will also function as a recruitment tool: providing ample space for graduate students and sizable offices for senior faculty will attract top-quality candidates and increase the reputation, research, and income of the department. Finally, unifying the Mathematical Institute in a new building will also free up significant space in other buildings for other university uses.