A PLACE OF DISCOVERY

Architect: westonwilliamson + partners Philip Turner
Country: United Kingdom
Theory
A place where ideas are formulated, theories are tested and discoveries are made cannot
be one where separate programmers are isolated – it needs to be a place where
programmes overlap and connect, forming new relationships and unexpected instances.
The idea of Science City is to make the unexpected possible through uniting rather than
separating functions, to create highly dense collection of rooms, avenues, gardens and
halls to be explored. There is no strict definition between private and public functions
in order to promote interaction between those working at Science City and those
visiting.
The complex is designed to function as though it were a Petri dish – a place where
disparate elements are brought close together in a specific environment to enable a
reaction
Principles
The building blocks of the complex are configured into dense, long strips, with shaded
green avenues running between. These avenues are the ordering device for the complex
and run from East to West – drawing in the prevailing winds.
Phasing is ordered through these strips, with the middle three strip buildings built first,
all connecting back to the orientation and Information Hall
Programme Distribution Across Phases:
Phase 1 (Middle Three Strips):