The Diamond is the largest capital investment in teaching and learning ever undertaken by the University. The 19,500m2 building houses specialist engineering laboratories, lecture theatres, flexible teaching spaces, workshops, a learning resource centre and formal and informal study environments for up to 5,000 students.
Image Courtesy of Twelve Architects
The ethos of the building is to support work across the full spectrum of engineering, from fundamental science to professional practice. The design provides a public route at ground floor level. A central atrium at first floor enables people to view the ‘showcase’ engineering activities being undertaken and promotes collaboration and cross-disciplinary working in an environment fit for 21st century research and practice.
Image Courtesy of Twelve Architects
“It has been a real pleasure to work with the team at Twelve Architects and it has been a very productive relationship. They have listened to and understood our needs and vision, and together we have worked closely to challenge, test and develop the brief and design. The result of this very engaging process is ‘The Diamond’, a world class facility for the Faculty of Engineering and the whole of the University of Sheffield.”
Image Courtesy of Twelve Architects
The Diamond is named after its distinctive anodised aluminium and glass facade, which draws inspiration from the detailing of the surrounding historic buildings and in particular the stone tracery that frames the windows of the adjacent church. It also references ‘cellular automaton’, a discrete model studied in the field of engineering and used by the University to describe how the microstructure of steel changes during processing.
(Video): A 3D animated fly-through of The University of Sheffield’s new £81m building The Diamond.
Video Courtesy of The University of Sheffield
RIBA stages A-E were completed by the core members of Twelve Architects whilst employed by a previous practice. Twelve Architects completed the design and delivery of the construction with Balfour Beatty.
“I am very proud of The Diamond building development. Twelve Architects has worked tirelessly to bring forward what I believe is both a fantastic addition to the University estate and Higher Education as a whole. Twelve has interpreted our vision and taken the final scheme so much further than we had hoped with a truly world class facility to compliment the excellence of the University’s academic endeavour. The Diamond is the single largest academic project the University has undertaken, and is a truly unique and inspiring facility.”
(Video): The Diamond – 360 Tour
Video Courtesy of The University of Sheffield
About the Architects
Twelve Architects is an award winning international architectural practice with a main office in London. We create distinctive and memorable designs and have experience in a wide range of projects including: masterplanning, commercial, residential, transport, education, research, culture, leisure, retail and healthcare.
Philosophy
- Twelve’s approach to all projects, regardless of scale or budget, is to gain a clear understanding of the objectives and aspirations of our clients.
- Twelve designs are based on the principles of simplicity, attention to detail and intelligent use of materials.
- Twelve believe that the design process should be fun and the end product is about making memorable places for people. Architecture is defined by context and culture and is styled by function. We question what is black and white to inspire the unexpected.
- Our philosophy is employed at every level, to enable our employees, fellow consultants and clients to collaborate and utilise their individual expertise to enhance the full potential of a project and to deliver a shared vision.
- Twelve comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Twelve Slavery Act Statement
Services
Our core service is architecture, masterplanning and interior design. By concentrating on these skills we believe we can ensure that our clients receive the best possible service and we have the flexibility to participate in different project teams.We promote ourselves as leaders of the design team and have valuable experience of working with a range of complimentary specialist consultants. We are able to advise clients on the selection of the wider consultant team.