FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | BACKGROUND 01 | INTRODUCTION WHAT IS UCL EAST? UCL (University College London) is in partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to establish a new university campus, UCL East, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (the Park). WELCOME Welcome to the Emerging Masterplan Exhibition for UCL East, a new campus for UCL (University College London) within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. UCL East is a major educational project for east London that will provide a world-class destination offering: • A range of educational and cultural academic space This is the second round of public consultation activities. During the summer of 2015 we informed people about the aims and objectives for UCL East in order to gather feedback and to understand local issues, needs and priorities. • Publicly accessible facilities including cafes, exhibition spaces and workshops • Business incubation and work space • Spaces for events, performance and entertainment This February 2016, we are presenting the developing design approach to explore what kind of physical place UCL East could be, how it will connect and engage with the local area, what uses and activities could there be and its vision for sustainability. • University living accommodation and amenities • Enhancement of the local environment and demonstrating sustainable design WHAT IS A MASTERPLAN? WESTFIELD STRATFORD CITY • A masterplan describes how a place is made up of buildings, public spaces and links between them STRATFORD WATERFRONT • It provides guidance on size, form and use as well as look and feel STRATFORD STATION LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE • It indicates how natural and man-made features can contribute, and how to build in continuity and connection with the surroundings T HE C I F NT AD O M RO CARP • It defines a clear hierarchy of pedestrian, cycle, vehicular and service routes, the location of access points, buildings, and the extent of public space ENTE DRET LONDON FREE SCHOOL (PRIMARY)* RS RO AD *Subject to planning approval • It should have a simple and flexible layout to allow detailed design by others and future change STADIUM UCL EAST | SITE PDZ 1.2c A LD R W AT E O UCL EAST | SITE PDZ 1.2b RW OR RI PLEASE PICK UP A FEEDBACK FORM VE R WE WANT TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS S KS ST RE ET R E IV LE TY SI DI NG CI M IL L RI WA RTO N ROA D VE R DRET LONDON FREE SCHOOL (SECONDARY)* • How well the layout and form responds to the site UCL EAST | SITE PDZ 2 • The extent the proposals feel open and accessible *Subject to planning approval KEY We want to know how well your needs, aspirations and priorities are met by the approach described in this exhibition. Considering for example: • The way it connects to its surroundings UCL EAST SITE • Environment, sustainability and ecology aspirations STRATFORD WATERFRONT SITE • What will make it distinct and memorable PUDDING MILL LANE STATION N Your feedback will help to inform more detailed plans. FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | BACKGROUND 02 | UCL EAST - THE VISION UCL East is being designed to encourage curiosity, learning and scholarship for all users including students, staff, collaborators and the wider public. It will seek to break down traditional barriers to inspire the free exchange of knowledge and ideas, in the spirit of the UCL 2034 Vision. The new campus will bring together cross-disciplinary UCL expertise across four key themes: Experiment, Art, Society and Technology (EAST). Focusing on topics such as: “ UCL East will be an outstanding and dynamic environment for learning, breaking down the conventional barriers between research, education, innovation, public engagement and collaboration. • Creativity and material culture—the relationships between humans and the things we create • Future global cities—long-term interactions between built and natural environments and information technologies “ ABOUT UCL EAST ABOUT UCL UCL IN THE COMMUNITY UCL was founded in 1826. The first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, UCL was the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it, and the first to provide systematic teaching of law, architecture and medicine. As London’s Global University, UCL is among the world’s top universities, as reflected by performance in a range of international rankings and tables. UCL currently has over 35,000 students from 150 countries and over 11,000 staff. UCL is working with a range of community organisations across London, looking at broadening community access, building links and sharing resources and expertise. UCL’s Bloomsbury campus in central London has limited room for growth and UCL East presents a unique opportunity to build an open and accessible new campus pioneering a radical approach to crossdisciplinary working, partnership, collaboration and public engagement. UCL Bartlett and UCL Engineering Sciences are to establish a collaborative space at Here East, the emerging technology hub at the Park. The UCL base at Here East is set to open during 2017 and admit its first students in September that year. —Professor Michael Arthur, UCL President and Provost UCL’S ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES Widening participation - 20,000 young people engage every year to raise aspirations and demystify university life. Student volunteering - 1,700 students every year volunteer with local charities. Public engagement - Commitment to engage the wider public with our world leading research through exhibitions, activities and events that bring out work to life and show how it affects the lives of everyday people Museums and collections - UCL will open up our extensive historical collections for children and adults to explore, enjoy and learn. Important collections include mummies from Egypt, skeletons of long extinct animals and beautiful art. • Experimental engineering—such as robotics, new forms of imaging or intelligent ultra-low carbon transport • Education and research through public service—such as the UCL Centre for Access to Justice or community social history libraries We plan to have further information on UCL East’s academic provision at the next stage. The historical Quad at the UCL Bloomsbury campus Working with young people, UCL’s engineering-focused Spark Festival Bartlett Summer Show Family Day, 2015 FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | BACKGROUND 03 | ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION TO DATE HEADLINE FINDINGS FROM STAGE 1 STAGE 1 - PLANTING IDEAS The first stage of the UCL East masterplan consultation was carried out in the summer of 2015. Comments and ideas received from the local community, stakeholders and UCL students & staff have established important priorities that have fed into the development of the emerging masterplan. •Overall there has been a positive response to the prospect of a new campus at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park •What is valued at UCL and around the site as well as the aspirations, challenges and priorities for UCL East, is shown in the flip book on the right STAGE 2 - GROWING IDEAS The masterplan team are presenting ideas about how these shared aspirations could translate into a layout and physical form, as part of a masterplan. Your comments will help progress the next stage of design. STAGE 1 EVENT STATISTICS WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE VALUE ABOUT THE PARK Have inclusive, involving and inviting public space that embraces learning and exchange for all. Other Ensure welcoming pedestrian and cycle access with a ‘front door’ linking local routes. Montfichet Road is currently a poor pedestrian experience. Have a community-facing university with visible public access balanced with security needs and the expectations of students and staff. 543 146 The waterways and green landscape are the site’s strongest assets. Make the most of these and embrace the opportunity for an innovative and sustainable development. 31 2 com car ple d q ted ue sti canv on na ass ire s 59 33% 4% QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK 9% 7% Young people / children 17% 9% 5% Stakeholder representatives came to the Masterplan Event and walkabout Leisure & sports Ecology & sustainability FEEDBACK st Ea 500 herbs with project contacts handed out Need for more study and social space and better access to sport facilities—to improve the quality of students experience. Open / green spaces Shops / restaurants Community benefit / involvement L UC Have a strong identity and academic offer, with clarity on the relationship between UCL East and Bloomsbury campuses. Innovation, research and ‘future thinking’ are strong assets for the identity. UCL students and staff engaged at 2 UCL pop-up events 16% Access & movement Be visible from the outset. Work with local community groups / schools and provide a programme of activities to increase access to education. Have high standards of design, retaining key views using the Park venues as a standard for height. Architectural cohesion with existing venues at the Park and an exemplar public environment is more important than a ‘stand-out design’. people attended 6 local pop-up events SEE FLIPBOOK 1 21,000 event flyers delivered locally 800+ people engaged in total WHAT LOCAL PEOPLE VALUE ABOUT THE PARK IN DETAIL TOPICS MOST DISCUSSED COMMUNITY PRIORITIES UCL PRIORITIES Pop Up, Hackney Wick, August 2015 Pop Up, Bow, August 2015 MASTERPLAN PRIORITIES FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | BACKGROUND 04 | OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES INTRODUCTION ad o tR e h fic t on M 3 1 4 London Aquatics 2 Centre r ve Ri d or f t ra t S k al W s rk wo er at W The setting of UCL East provides incredible opportunities to make the most out of the site’s unique geographic features and strategic location. Still, there are constraints within the site that limit possibilities. Key considerations, both positive and limiting, are highlighted below. Po ol St re et The Stadium ArcelorMittal Orbit Opportunities: et Stre n o rnt Tho 3 River and canal links 2 Gathering and play space 4 Proximity to Stratford Station 5 A utility maintenance structure adjacent to the proposed site 7 Railway track along Sidings Street 6 Underpass creating unpleasant pedestrian environment 8 Outside the Stadium after a match rs te en rp Ca ad Ro Si di ng s •Setting of the Park and neighbouring amenities and attractions St re et er Riv ill yM Cit •Proximity to transport connections and nearby city centres W ar to n •Waterways and greenways as linkages and as destinations for leisure •Views of the City and sunrise / sunset opportunities 1 View of the City from the Park Ro ad KEY Links to nearby attractions and community Sunset World class Park landscape Sunrise Morning and evening gathering spaces Constraints: •Roads, railways and maintenance structures limit land use and obstruct movement and access CONSTRAINTS •Underground cable tunnels restrict building heights ad o tR e h fic t on M •Noise from the railway lines 8 5 Po ol St re et ArcelorMittal Orbit t ree t S n rnto Tho rs te en rp Ca St re et ad Ro er Riv ill yM Cit Si di ng s The Stadium 6 r ve Ri d or f t ra t S s rk wo er at W •Noise and crowds from the Stadium during match days and events k al W London Aquatics Centre 7 W ar to n Ro ad KEY Cable tunnels & height restriction zone Cables to be diverted Noise from railway Barriers to movement FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | CONCEPT 05 | UNDERSTANDING WHAT GOES WHERE INTRODUCTION LAYOUT AND LAND USES The masterplan will be able to identify the broad location and categories of land uses (e.g. retail) but will not be able to identify specific types of shops or occupiers. The drawing to the right shows the current thinking. d oa R t he c tfi on M London Aquatics Centre PDZ 1.2c ArcelorMittal Orbit et on Stre Thornt WHAT YOU SAID*: Ci ty * Responses from Stage 1 consultation events How will activities be spread across UCL Bloomsbury and UCL East? er Riv rks de wo na ter me Wa ro tP on rfr ate W The Stadium et re t sS ng i Sid M ill Ri ve r PDZ 2 Po ol St re et PDZ 1.2b W ar to n Ca rp en te rs Ro ad Ro ad More clarity is required on the academic offer. PREDOMINANT USES Academic Academic / Publicly Accessible Commercial / Retail University Accommodation Working / Operational Areas ACADEMIC: Academic buildings will feature a range of spaces that will accommodate activities from university outreach uses and workshops, as well as provide lecture halls, study space, laboratories, offices and seminar rooms. Much of the lower levels of the buildings academic functions across all three sites will be open and accessible to the public. COMMERCIAL / RETAIL: Potential commercial retail units located along major pedestrian routes and along the Waterfront Promenade. UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION: University accommodation along with active public oriented uses to create mixed use facilities. WORKING / OPERATIONAL AREAS: Working / operational areas located along Sidings Street and Pool Street to provide direct vehicular access. FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | CONCEPT 06 | AN OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE CAMPUS A CROSS SECTION OF HOW THE CAMPUS COULD LOOK (SITE PDZ 2) ACCESS / INCLUSION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT The aim of the masterplan is to maximise public space and encourage a wide range of uses, by providing publicly accessible, high quality external and internal spaces at the lower level. •Main pedestrian routes widen where they meet, creating larger areas where impromptu activities can take place, with food vendors and options to sit and bring your own : A D L d e fi i l p Sim m a r diag •Public space will flow through ground and first floor levels, outside and within building interiors •The location of other accessible spaces such as learning spaces, exhibitions, workshops and function areas at the ground level will further the sense of openness •Public space could be extended through vertical atriums to rooftops to provide dramatic new ways for students, academics and the community to interact EXAMPLES OF ACCESSIBLE SPACES WHERE WOULD YOU SPEND TIME? WHAT YOU SAID*: 1 2 3 Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Place stickers here: * Responses from Stage 1 consultation events How will the masterplan create inclusive, involving and inviting public space that embraces the community priority for access to education and learning for all? New Forum at Lund University by Henning Larsen Architects Alumni Center by TVA Architects How will a balance be made between a ‘community facing’ and accessible university, security needs and the expectations of staff, students and their families? Open green spaces with Urban public realm that flexible, moveable furniture encourages interaction 4 5 6 Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Campus café for leisure, socialising and study Manchester School of Art Granary Square, King’s Cross by Townshend Landscape Architects Ground floor with internal and external public access Display of public art / Publicly accessible student work / installations workshop With the stickers provided, please choose one space for each of the following: Most likely Somewhat likely Least likely FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | CONCEPT 07 | UNDERSTANDING JOURNEYS TO UCL EAST PROPOSED ARRIVAL, CONNECTIVITY AND WALKING TIMES MASTERPLAN AIMS To facilitate connections into the Park, the masterplan will place arrival points on existing routes, and where possible connect these arrival points to create pedestrian links through the campus. Stratford International 15 min East Village 16-20 min HS ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES Stratford Centre 15 min Westfield Stratford City 10 min Integrating the campus to the wider area beyond the Park, especially with the community to the south, is challenging. Three of the sites’ edges face railway lines or waterways and unlike typical city neighbourhoods, there is a lack of established movement patterns across the site, with most journeys being connected to the major venues and events. Stratford Station 9 min Hackney Wick 18 min Stratford Waterfront 5 min Stratford High St. DLR 10 min WHAT YOU SAID*: * Responses from Stage 1 consultation events How will the masterplan provide welcoming pedestrian and cycle access, will there be an iconic ‘front door’ and can the pedestrian experience of Montfichet Road be improved? Fish Island 11 min Stratford High St 6 min MASTERPLAN IDEAS SEE FLIPBOOK 2 Pudding Mill Lane DLR 5 min Fluid public realm Arrival and identity Gateway to the south of the Park KEY Arrival gateways Key corners Connecting routes and waterfront settings Townscape and identity Key connections Key views The diagram shows the major movement corridors around the site, identifying the arrival gateways for UCL East. FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | CONCEPT 08 | UNDERSTANDING CHARACTER AND IDENTITY CHARACTER AREAS INTRODUCTION The emerging masterplan thinking offers the greatest potential to develop a built environment which is confident, distinctive and contemporary. WESTERN BANK •Treatment of the internal and external public spaces, including the edges of the site which interface with waterways, railways and the Park landmarks, will help unify the site whilst creating distinctiveness HUB SPACE EASTERN PROMENADE • Located on the Western edge overlooking City Mill river • Focal space for staff, students and community users to gather • Welcoming space for morning commuters • A large green space for leisure and quiet walks maximising sunlight hours • Provides easy access to institutions and faculties • Encourages chance encounters • Dynamic outdoor area for curated exhibitions and activities • Multifunctional area allowing informal seating and activities as well as curated events • Contributing to the ecology and biodiversity of the site •At the same time there is scope to establish a continuous identity across UCL East sites and the Olympicopolis development WHAT YOU SAID*: TERRACE SPACE * Responses from Stage 1 consultation events SOUTHERN COURTYARD • Largest central space with a mix of softscape and hardscape Innovation in learning, research and ‘future thinking’ are key to establishing a unique identity. • Southern arrival space • Flexible area to be used to display innovation and creativity • Public realm provides opportunities for leisure, study and play • Designed to accommodate service vehicles The waterways and green landscape are the site’s greatest assets—how will these be enhanced and utilised as opportunities? PDZ 2 TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS - WHAT KIND OF SPACES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? Tell us your ideas: What other examples would you suggest? Place stickers here: Space for relaxation and lounging on the grass Place stickers here: Large open area for events and gathering Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Place stickers here: Pop-up markets and other events Exhibition and public outreach areas Outdoor cinema and performance space Outdoor offices and study hubs With the stickers provided, please choose one space for each of the following and/or add your ideas above: Affix post-its here 1st choice 2nd choice FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | CONCEPT 09 | UNDERSTANDING THE APPROACH TO LAYOUT AND MASSING URBAN BLOCKS, LINKS AND SPACES INTRODUCTION 3D BIRDS EYE VIEW 1 2 •It has tall immediate neighbours: the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the Stadium and local residential towers The Stadium •The campus will need to make its presence felt as part of Olympicopolis without competing, so it will aim to use alternative tactics to ‘stand out’ 14-17 levels rs te en rp Ca ArcelorMittal Orbit 8-10 levels ad Ro t tree S n rnto Tho PDZ 1.2c PDZ 1.2b 3 •UCL's development as a place of social and cultural exchange will establish its distinct identity W ar to n er Riv ill yM Cit St re et KEY PDZ 2 Ro ad Marker buildings SIZE Si di ng s •The Park setting and views out towards local landmarks will give form, shape and character to the campus Po ol St re et Mo ntfi che tR oa d r ve Ri The UCL East site can be seen from a distance and from all directions. London Aquatics Centre s rk wo er at W rd fo t ra St k al W St re et Green infrastructure links St ra tfo rd Hi gh Unifying streetscape Extension of the Park WHAT YOU SAID*: * Responses from Stage 1 consultation events Architectural cohesion is needed with existing and new architectural landmarks. 10-12 levels UCL East could provide in the region of 125,000 to 160,000 square meters, equivalent to about a third of the existing UCL Bloomsbury Campus. KEY JOURNEYS AND INDICATIVE ARRIVAL VIEWS 1 The scale and massing should work with existing views and use the Park venues as a benchmark for height. Current view from Stratford Walk Proposed view from Stratford Walk Current view from Montfichet Road looking west Proposed view from Montfichet Road looking west Current view from Iron Bridge Proposed view from Iron Bridge 2 3 View looking east towards Carpenters Road and beyond across Newham 7-9 levels FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | WHAT UCL EAST IS AIMING FOR 10 | SUSTAINABILITY ASPIRATIONS OVERALL PRINCIPLES Sustainability is very important to UCL and LLDC and they are investing in UCL East for the long-term. Above all, sustainability of the campus—both social and environmental—is about making it a great place for students, staff and the wider community, which enables the university and community to thrive. The sustainability vision is for the campus to provide: VISION FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS HEALTHY AND COMFORTABLE RESILIENT AND LOW IMPACT Public realm that enables a range of activities, interactions, walking and cycling Environmentally responsible building design •Accessible, inclusive and welcoming design •Access to the Park, sports and leisure facilities, the river and other amenities •A comfortable environment, with daylight where possible, good acoustics and air quality •Energy efficient buildings with district heating and solar panels to reduce carbon emissions •Water efficiency and rainwater harvesting •Resilient to the effects of climate change including overheating and flooding •Biodiverse roofs and other habitats for wildlife— minimum 0.78 hectares •Efficient use of material resources, including minimal waste generation •A healthy and comfortable working and living environment •An adaptable, responsive and low environmental impact development •A smart and efficient development SMART AND EFFICIENT Flexible and adaptable buildings and infrastructure which can be modified to meet future needs •Smart technologies used to monitor and manage buildings and ensure they operate efficiently •IT facilities which enable connectivity, enhance people’s experience of the campus and allow data to be captured for research and education FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | WHAT UCL EAST IS AIMING FOR 11 | SUMMARY MASTERPLAN EMERGING MASTERPLAN AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL YOUR VIEWS ON THE MASTERPLAN INTRODUCTION Are there any further opportunities? O N RO TFI A CH D ET The drawings to the right illustrate the emerging masterplan. It is by no means fixed and your thoughts will be helpful in the next stage of development. M What do you like about the masterplan? E AT W Below is a summary of what the masterplan seeks to deliver. KS OR RW V RI ER OVERALL QUALITIES NG S CIT ILL YM •A wide range of quality external spaces •A strong sense of place, part of Olympicopolis development and a truly accessible new urban quarter CONNECTIVITY AND CONTEXT •Strong local pedestrian links to welcome people •A standalone place responding to its Park and wider water setting •Views back to the City and Canary Wharf used to create powerful links between UCL’s academic status and its world city location to create an identifiable symbol for London T ST R ER •Internal and external public space treatments will contribute to the creation of a distinct identity RO AD Working / Operational Areas MASTERPLAN IN SECTION ST RA TF OR Academic / Publicly Accessible D HI GH KEY IDENTITY AND IMAGE •A distinctive, contemporary and publicly accessible environment that welcomes everyone and meets their aspirations and needs W AR TO N EE RIV •Flexible and adaptable to encourage both impromptu as well as planned activities and interactions •Context-sensitive, well-planned and economically and environmentally sustainable buildings AD RO SI DI •Emphasis on achieving accessible space, particularly at the ground level and with an overarching openness and continuity •Facilities and events for the local community, UCL students and staff and visitors RS TE EN ST R RP CA EE T •A high-quality environment that reflects the ambitions of UCL, LLDC, stakeholders and the community Affix post-its here FEBRUARY 2016 UCL EAST | WHAT UCL EAST IS AIMING FOR 12 | WHAT’S NEXT FIND OUT MORE SUMMARY To ask any questions or to let us know you would like to receive future updates, please contact the UCL East team at Soundings on: This emerging masterplan exhibition is part of a series of events, including two public workshops and drop-in roadshows. •Roadshows are taking place at UCL Bloomsbury and in various locations across five neighbourhoods: Stratford, Bow, Leyton, Fish Island and Hackney Wick 020 7729 1705 UCLEast@soundingsoffice.com Soundings 148 Curtain Road London EC2A 3AT •The exhibition boards and feedback sheet can be downloaded using the website links on the right; please complete and return your feedback by Wednesday 2 March You can also keep up to date on the web by visiting either: UCL website ucl.ac.uk/ucl-east •All feedback will be entered into a database, analysed and reported back to the design and client teams and will be used to inform the masterplan. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk/ucl-east The Stage 1 Consultation Report is available here and to download online at: QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk/ucl-east TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CONSULTATION PROCESS We hope you found the exhibition useful and informative. Please tell us what you think about the consultation process and what you would like to learn more about at the next stage. Affix post-it here WE ARE HERE 2016 2015 JUNE - AUGUST ASPIRATIONS & MASTERPLAN PRINCIPLES Raising awareness about the project. Understanding key issues & opportunities and discussing masterplan principles to inform the masterplan development. FEBRUARY EMERGING MASTERPLAN Presenting the emerging masterplan. Gathering feedback on the emerging plans to inform the next stage of development of the masterplan. 2016 SUMMER MASTERPLAN Presenting the masterplan and how this has responded to consultation. Setting out next steps. WINTER OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION & STATUTORY CONSULTATION Combined Olympicopolis Outline Planning Application(s) submitted to the Local Planning Authority.