Arts Tower

Arts Tower

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = Arts Tower


built = 1961-1965
status = completed
use = Education
caption = 'Arts Tower' which houses many of the departments of the faculty of Arts
previous_building =
location = Sheffield, England
roof = 78m (255ft)
floor_count = 20 (plus Mezzanine and 2 basement floors)
elevator_count = 3
developer =
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 [ [http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Multimillion-pound-revamp-for-city.3748289.jp Multimillion pound revamp for city structure] - "Sheffield Star" 6 February 2008] . 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 [ [http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=170 World Architecture News] ] , will be taller when completed. It is also the tallest university building in the UK. [http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/st/tp/ty/ed/. Accessed 29 January 2007]

Designed by architects "Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners", construction of the tower started in 1961 and lasted four years. Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that the design was directly inspired by the similar, but much larger, Seagram Building in New York City. When asked about the possible inspiration of Mies van der Rohe's buildings in America, GMW project architect Robert Smith explained instead that the form of the building came the surrounding context. [cite book |last= Schneider |first= Tatjana |title=This Building Should Have Some Sort of Distinctive Shape: The Story of the Arts Tower in Sheffield |publisher= University of Sheffield |year= 2008 |isbn= 9780955666902 ]

Entry to the building was originally made by a wide 'bridge' between fountains over a shallow pool area in front of the building.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;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] 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. [ [http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/architecture/main/uhb/BAhb.pdf School of Architecture Course Handbook 2007 - 2008] ] It has a student computer room on the 12th floor [ [http://www.shef.ac.uk/cics/studentcomputerrooms/artstower.html Student Computer Rooms ] ] , and a self-service language teaching centre on the second. [ [http://www.shef.ac.uk/mltc/sf/facilities Facilities ] ] 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. [ [http://www.flemming-hamburg.de/patlist.htm#grossbritannien PatList ] ]

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.Harman, R. & Minnis, J. (2004) "Pevsner City Guides: Sheffield", pp82–84. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300105851] The Arts Tower and Library are Grade II* listed buildings. [English Heritage (1993) [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=2&id=457011 Library and Arts Tower, University of Sheffield.] "Images of England" (accessed 7 January 2006—free registration required).]

The buildings can be visited during office hours, although library visitors will have to sign a register and may be asked for identification. [ [http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/visitors.html Using the Library ] ]

In December 2007, the University announced plans for a major refurbishment of the Arts Tower. The refurbishment will see a major re-organisation of the building's interior, as well as a new façade. The building is expected to be vacated at the end of the 2008/2009 academic year, with refurbishment taking approximately two years to complete. [ [http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/estates/buildingforthefuture/artstower The Arts Tower ] ] .

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