Extension to Wind Tunnel Building B.17 at the University of Southampton.
Provision on a 120m2 extension to the R J Mitchell Wind Tunnel building to create an improved public entrance with display areas, office and canteen plus changing room, WC’s and showers for people using the facility (Sky GB Cycling, Formula 1 teams, Ford and university students). Creating a new meeting room and viewing gallery into the test bed of the wind tunnel itself was also part of the scheme.
Our involvement included a survey of all M&E services within the Wind Tunnel building and identifying services feeding it to establish if any needed to be diverted to avoid the extension. Diversions included the site’s fibre optic communications link, telephone lines, alarms, BMS links and mains water service. Linking into the site’s district heating network and designing to the University’s protocols for BMS, data, emergency lighting and general LED lighting requirements whilst delivering an building with a deliberately industrial feel was achieved working closely with the design team and University staff.
