Arts Tower
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| Arts Tower | |
 'Arts Tower' which houses many of the departments of the faculty of Arts |
|
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Sheffield, England |
| Status | completed |
| Constructed | 1961-1965 |
| Use | Education |
| Height | |
| Roof | 78m (255ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 20 (plus Mezzanine and 2 basement floors) |
| Elevator count | 3 |
| Companies | |
| Architect | Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners |
The Arts Tower is a building in Sheffield, England belonging to the University of Sheffield. English Heritage has called it "the most elegant university tower block in Britain of its period[1]. At 255 feet (78 m) tall it is the tallest building in the city, although, at 101 m, the 32-floor St Pauls Tower on Arundel Gate, which was approved in October 2005[2], will be taller when completed. It is also the tallest university building in the UK.[3]
Designed by architects Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners, construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years. The design was inspired by the Seagram Building in New York City, although the Arts Tower is roughly half the size. Entry to the building was originally made by a wide 'bridge' between fountains over a shallow pool area in front of the building. This pool was eventually drained and covered over when it was found that strong down drafts of wind hitting the building on gusty days caused the fountain to soak people entering and exiting the building. An alternative design for a rotunda-styled cylindrical building was thrown out when suitable curved furnishings were costed.
The building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother in June 1966;[4] it has 20 stories and a mezzanine level above ground. These house the Departments of Landscape, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Architecture as well as the library administration. There are also two floors below ground level that house nine lecture theatres. The building contains a cafe in the basement.[5] It has a student computer room on the 12th floor[6], and a self-service language teaching centre on the second.[7] Circulation is through two ordinary lifts and a paternoster lift, at 38 cars the largest of the few surviving in the UK, and possibly the largest in the world.[8]
A bridge at the mezzanine level links the tower to the University's contemporary library. This building was also designed by Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners—the two buildings are intended to be viewed together.[9] The Arts Tower and Library are Grade II* listed buildings.[10]
The buildings can be visited during office hours, although library visitors will have to sign a register and may be asked for identification.[11]
In December 2007, the University announced plans for a major refurbishment of the Arts Tower[12].
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Multimillion pound revamp for city structure - Sheffield Star 6 February 2008
- ^ World Architecture News
- ^ http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/st/tp/ty/ed/. Accessed 29 January 2007
- ^ Mathers, H. (2005) Steel City Scholars, The Centenary History of the University of Sheffield, p191. James and James (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 1-904-022-01-4
- ^ School of Architecture Course Handbook 2007 - 2008
- ^ Student Computer Rooms
- ^ Facilities
- ^ PatList
- ^ Harman, R. & Minnis, J. (2004) Pevsner City Guides: Sheffield, pp82–84. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300105851
- ^ English Heritage (1993) Library and Arts Tower, University of Sheffield. Images of England (accessed 7 January 2006—free registration required).
- ^ http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/libdocs/ml-rs18.pdf
- ^ The Arts Tower
[edit] External links
