‘Heart of the Campus’, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus

Tuesday, August 2nd 2014 – Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield Hallam University. Today I attended on site to review the Phase 1 glazing manifestation artwork installations for myself and meet with VGL who were on site to view the works in tandem with the main contractor, Graham Construction. I was also meeting with the University Clients to review the final scope for the Phase 2 installation of artwork. The building now appears to be semi open for use – but still going through various procedures and protocols, I suppose to ensure all goes smoothly once the mass of students arrive later this month! Great not to have to gear up with PPE. The building is looking amazing. Graham & HLM have done a wonderful job. External landscape is almost completed. The East Elevation of the building has an amazing aspect. It was a clear blue-sky day with lots of sun, which are good conditions for looking at the manifestations, as they are more likely to cast great shadows, which add considerably to the impact and variation within the works.

Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent
As seen from Crescent Road
As seen from Crescent Road
cnc routed West Elevation rainscreen
CNC routed West Elevation rain screen

The West Elevation rain screen is really quite reflective in strong sun. Athough this is a painted grey finish, it is glossy and can appear metallic. The exposed Rockpanel material beneath the colour coat has now really darkened from the earlier yellow colour. The surface is more subtle, but richer in appearance. The impact is muted from afar, but the details really begin to emergeon the approach.

The Western Entrance off Broomgrove Road is now almost completed. Some final touches to the landscaping will see this completed. As you pass through the entrance doors, the interior quickly opens out onto the central atrium, which is spectacular. The glazing manifestation artwork can be clearly seen.
The Western Entrance off Broomgrove Road is now almost completed. Some final touches to the landscaping will see this completed. As you pass through the entrance doors, the interior quickly opens out onto the central atrium, which is spectacular. The glazing manifestation artwork can be clearly seen.

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Entering the atrium space and hub of the building, with the main reception on the right and the main East Entrance straight ahead, you can just start to make out the glazing installation. If you turn to the left, this is what you see....
Entering the atrium space and hub of the building, with the main reception on the right and the Main East Entrance straight ahead, you can just start to make out the glazing installation. If you turn to the left, this is what you see….
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The central atrium space as seen from Level 1

This is the three storey central atrium space and ‘Heart of the Campus’. The client had originally commissioned artwork manifestations to much of the visible glazing, but on reflection, the transparency and legibility of the interior spaces & architectural form may have been compromised and it was decided to omit them from the project.  The artwork manifestations to the ground floor exterior curtain wall glazing, linking the East and North entrances, is still being commissioned as the Phase 2 works.

Shadows cast by the artwork manifestation add another dimension to the work and come and go with the sun.
Shadows cast by the artwork manifestation add another dimension to the work and come and go with the sun.

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This image shows the artwork applied to the interior glazed lobby, with the central atrium space just visible on the left.
This image shows the artwork applied to the interior glazed lobby, with the central atrium space just visible on the left.

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In bright sunlight, shadows are cast form the manifestation to carry across structural elements such as glazing screen frames and supporting columns. This interplay extends the range and impact of the artwork.
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The East Elevation Main Entrance doors are automatic and the manifestations cross and overlap as the doors open, creating yet another pattern.

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North Entrance glazed elevation with applied artwork manifestations.
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Detail of digitally printed artwork to glazing manifestations. North Entrance glazed screen.
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East Elevation glazed screen with applied artwork manifestations. This is the main entrance and interior lobby area with reception.
Seen from the open balcony areas of Level 1, the North Elevation entrance artwork can be clearly seen.
Seen from the open balcony areas of Level 1, the North Elevation Entrance artwork can be clearly seen.
East entrance interior lobby space.
East Entrance interior lobby space.

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