View source for The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne

==[[Structural_steel_design_awards|Structural Steel Design Awards]] 2021 - Commendation==
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The Catalyst is the new home of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and National Innovation Centre for Data. By combining the two into one home, the building provides an inspiring and collaborative set of spaces for both users and visitors. The building required a much smaller area on the lower floors, that are combined visitor and user spaces, than the upper floors, hence the striking form of the building. By simply sloping the [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]], the architects were able to create a building that has minimal [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] area, but also a unique finish. The triangular site shape was softened by simply curving the three corners. The architecture also created very large column-free zones which, alongside flexible M&E systems and high load capacity in the structural frame, provides [[The_case_for_steel#Flexibility for changing times|flexibility for future changes]] from day one.

The structural frame is highlighted by the expressed sloping diagrid [[Facades_and_interfaces|façades]] and the triple-storey diagrid [[Trusses|trusses]] that span the open landscaping area at the front of the building. The frame’s honest expression of form facilitated the creation of a complex, yet simple and elegant structure. Utilising a different framing material would not have been possible without increasing the programme, [[Cost_of_structural_steelwork|cost]], and environmental impact.

The coordination of [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] diagrid setting out and floor slab [[Design|design]] allowed beams to intersect on all node points, creating efficient structural arrangements and very effective [[Floor_vibrations|vibration]] limitation. This also simplified the [[Construction#Construction sequence|construction sequence]] and meant that the frame could be stable during [[Construction#Steel erection|erection]] by building out from the three [[Concept_design#Concrete or steel cores|steel-framed vertical cores]] to the diagrid [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]]. These factors in combination reduced steel member numbers, provided repetitive, simple and elegant detailing for the [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] connections and also created the shallowest floor structure and building mass possible.

The building achieved a [[BREEAM|BREEAM]] ‘Outstanding’ certification and is very well received by users and visitors alike. It was £4M under budget as a result of many efficiencies during [[Construction|construction]]. In use, this efficiency continues with the building being connected to the local Helix Energy Centre, which minimises running costs. Additionally, even the sloping [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] only needs to be cleaned once every 11-12 months because of its form.
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The [[Life_cycle_assessment_and_embodied_carbon#What_is_embodied_carbon.3F|embodied carbon]] of the frame (including all concrete throughout) was only 224kgCO<sub>2</sub>e/m<sup>2</sup>, which compares very well to comparator projects that are all over 300kgCO<sub>2</sub>e/m<sup>2</sup>. Using a [[Concept_design#Concrete or steel cores|concrete core]] solution for this building would have raised the figure to over 280kgCO<sub>2</sub>e/m<sup>2</sup> and a concrete frame would have been over 400kgCO<sub>2</sub>e/m<sup>2</sup>. 

{|class="wikitable" width=400px 
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|'''Architect'''||GSSArchitecture
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|'''Structural Engineer'''||s h e d
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|'''Main Contractor'''||Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd  
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|'''Client'''||Newcastle University
|}

==Judges' comment==
This new [[Braced_frames|steel-framed]] building for Newcastle University combines two centres on a triangular site. A steel [[Trusses|truss]] in the [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]] over the entrance provides the required long clear span and the diagonal members are a feature that is highlighted to make a striking [[Facades_and_interfaces|façade]]. The sloping out and curved corners added complexity to the [[Fabrication|fabrication]], needing subtle faceted members.

[[Category:Case studies - Education buildings]]
[[Category:SSDA]]