The Diamond, Sheffield

The Diamond is a building in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, part of the University of Sheffield. Housing specialist engineering facilities as well as seminar room and open plan study spaces,[1] it was completed in September 2015 at a cost of £81 million, the largest capital investment ever made by the university.[2] It is situated on Leavygreave Road, between the Jessop Wing and St George's Church.

The Diamond
The Diamond (left), with Jessop Wing in foreground
General information
LocationSheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Address32 Leavygreave Rd, Broomhall, S3 7RD
Coordinates53.38154°N 1.48160°W / 53.38154; -1.48160
Construction started2013
Completed2015
Cost£81M
Technical details
Floor count6
Design and construction
Architect(s)Twelve Architects

History

53.38154°N 1.48160°W / 53.38154; -1.48160 The Diamond was built to replace the Grade II-listed Edwardian wing of the Jessop Hospital, taking over from the Sir Frederick Mappin Building as the new home of the Faculty of Engineering, the largest faculty at the university, with the goal to double student numbers in the faculty by 2021.[3][4] Construction work began in July 2013 and the building opened in September 2015, in time for the start of that year's autumn semester.[5]

Building

The building takes its name from its unique facade, which comprises a cellular pattern of interconnected diamond shapes made of anodised aluminium, inspired by the form of diamond at a molecular level, over a frame of reinforced concrete and exterior glass cladding.[6] It has nine lecture theatres, nineteen laboratories and more than thirty classrooms,[7] linked by a central atrium area with a large study space and a café.[8] Within the atrium, curved pods house IT suites and small seminar rooms.

Reaction

Reaction to the building was mixed. It received a commendation from the British Constructional Steelwork Association Structural Steel Design Awards for its design and construction,[9] and MP for Sheffield Central Paul Blomfield commented that the building would be "the jewel in the crown not only for the University itself, but also for the city".[10][11] It was shortlisted for the 2016 Carbuncle Cup, awarded to the ugliest new building in the UK. The architectural magazine Building Design described it thus: "with the efficiency of a twin-thrust turbo engine, it commits sins on both the outside and the inside."[12]

References
  1. "Twelve Architects adds patterned facade to university building". Dezeen. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. "The Diamond Building". Boon Edam United Kingdom. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  3. "The Diamond, The University of Sheffield". Twelve Architects and Masterplanners. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  4. "'The Diamond'- The University of Sheffield | Twelve Architects". Arch2O. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  5. Sheffield, University of (28 September 2015). "University's new £81m Diamond building opens its doors for students - Latest - News - The University of Sheffield". University of Sheffield. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  6. "The Diamond - The University of Sheffield - Wayfinder UK". Wayfinding. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. a.s, Sipral. "Sipral - presentation of "New Engineering Building" in Sheffield (UK)". Sipral (in Czech). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  8. "Case Studies | The Diamond Building, University of Sheffield". assentbc. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  9. "The Diamond Engineering Building, The University of Sheffield". Steel Construction. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  10. "The Diamond nominated for Worst UK Building award". Forge Press. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  11. Sheffield, University of (May 2014). "University's new £81 million building is a real diamond - Latest - News - The University of Sheffield". University of Sheffield. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  12. Lane, Thomas (7 September 2016). "Carbuncle Cup 2016 winner announced". Building Design. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
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