The new Library at Queen's University Belfast is a landmark building of scale and prestige seldom seen in Northern Ireland that incorporates a raft of products from MK Electric and Ackermann to complement the overall quality of the £50 million building. Designed by Boston-based architects Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott in association with Belfast architects RPP, the new Library draws parallels with the proposed Coleraine Museum / Museum & Library through both its proximity to a historical context and its function.
The Library is close to the University’s historic Lanyon Building, one of the signature features of Belfast's built environment, and so complements it, while also providing accommodation for 2000 readers and space for 1.5 million volumes.
The requirements of an innovative, modern library are many and the new building contains a variety of specifically controlled internal environments where heating, ventilation and day-lighting are critical factors. Common reader spaces, 'quiet zones', historic / special collections, artefact display and digital media are all features of an internal environment that is tailored to meet the challenges of the latest educational thinking.
Literally underlying the building’s interior are underfloor distribution system products from MK Electric’s Ackermann range. The project – involving screed substrate in a raised floor application – deployed the company’s Onix Plus Outlet Lids and Ackermann Slab Boxes.
Onix Plus™ provides innovative solutions to hard floor power and data distribution requirements in screed floors with coverings such as laminate, wood, stone and marble. A stylish and robust design offers superior load bearing performance and greater durability; and the lids – with snorkel or plain – provide wet wash solutions. A selection of lid recess depths are available, allowing for various floor depths. This product was particularly suitable on the ground floor to service reading desks, especially since it was simple to install over a very large area.
Ackermann Slab Boxes provide the same services (power and data) as a floorbox and deliver a flexible and cost effective raised floor solution. A wide range of power and data accessories are available to meet all requirements and they come with a five -year guarantee.
Albany Plus wiring devices were also used throughout. Available in both matt chrome and satin brass finishes, Albany Plus are made from the finest materials and coated with a special heat-cured powder lacquer finish ensures that they keep their looks for years to come. Albany Plus devices are also particularly safe thanks to MK’s unique 3-pin operated safety shutter that prevents misuse and unsafe access to live circuitry. This feature is also found in Logic plus wiring accessories, which are also installed in the Library.
Grid Plus, a modular switching and monitoring system, was also installed. The comprehensive range of modules includes switches, indicators, dimmers, secret key switches, printed switches and buzzer units – making it the ideal system for public buildings. Easy to fit and change, Grid Plus modules simply clip into place from the front of the mounting frame.
In vulnerable areas, the Masterseal range of wiring devices was installed. This is made with Polycarbonate, one of the toughest thermoplastics available today – so tough and durable that it’s used in motorcycle helmets and car bumpers. It will not discolour, crack or fade in UV light (unlike many other plastics), it has better resistance to chemicals than many other plastics and will maintain its high resistance to impact in extremes of heat and cold.
The M&E contractor on the project was Blackbourne Electrical, whose managing director Morris Cairns says the quality and aesthetic features of the ranges were a major factor in their favour.
“It was a case of quality over cost because this is a very prestigious job in which appearance is paramount,” he says.