The scheme will convert Howell, Killick, Partridge and Amis’s (HKPA) now largely unoccupied faculty of Urban and Regional Studies (URS) on the University’s Whiteknights campus into a new home for its department of Construction Management and Engineering. One of HKPA’s last higher education projects, the 120m-long concrete structure, known as the Lego Building, has a lengthy internal circulation spine and features a substantial overhang to the north and an ‘irregular floorplan of solids and voids’. The building was given statutory heritage protection in 2016 and, according to Historic England’s official list entry, the block’s ‘expressive use of structure’ references traditional Japanese construction in its playful exaggeration of post and lintel joints, giving the building ‘drama, wit and virtuosity’.Advertisement However, due to its deteriorating condition, the linear megastructure has lain mainly empty in recent years. In 2018 the council knocked back a scheme by Hawkins\Brown, which included infilling the building’s colonnaded undercroft – an application which prompted objections from Historic England and The Twentieth Century Society. Responding to Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt’s proposals, The Twentieth Century Society said the designs were a ‘a significant improvement’ on Hawkins\Brown’s application. And, while having ‘some concerns’ about the replacement of the existing single-glazed aluminium windows with triple-glazed composite timber and aluminium windows, the campaign group added it was ‘broadly supportive of the proposed work’. Source:Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt Approved by Wokingham Borough Council, the approved renovations aim to bring the URS building back into full use, housing new teaching space. The plans, the practice claims, will deliver ‘substantial environmental improvements’, such as improved thermal performance and repairs to the external envelope while ‘respecting and preserving’ the listed fabric.Advertisement The practice is working with heritage consultant Purcell on the proposal, which, as part of its intention to ‘retain, refurbish and enhance as many elements as possible’, will renew all windows and external doors, add a new roof and insulation, replace rooflights and repair the existing concrete. Source:Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt/University of ReadingThe existing URS building at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus Timber glazed screens will be revarnished and upgraded with new fire-rated glass, while wood wool ceilings will be removed. These will be replaced with baffles made from the same material to improve acoustics. The building’s main entrance will be given a major overhaul, the second entrance ‘significantly upgraded’ and additional staircases added to the south and east façades. Internally, smaller ‘cellular’ spaces will be grouped on the narrower first floor. Larger teaching spaces for up to 120 students will be created within the deeper second floor plan. Existing lecture theatres will be refurbished and modernised with new seating, timber panelling and suspended acoustic panels. Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt director Dominic Gaunt said: ‘We’re confident that we’ve achieved a good balance between respecting the original architecture and introducing new elements to improve not just the performance but also the experience of URS for the students and staff who will use it.’ The phased work programme is expected to start later this year for completion in 2028. Section Project data Location Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire Local authority Wokingham Borough Council Type of project Education, refurbishment Client University of Reading Architect Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt Heritage consultant Purcell Planning consultant BNP Paribas Structural engineer Curtins M&E consultant Couch Perry Wilkes Quantity surveyor Edge Principal designer Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt Funding University of Reading Tender date First Stage Tender November 2024 Start on site Late 2025 Completion 2028 Contract duration 2 years Gross internal floor area m² 7,600 m² Total cost Undisclosed