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City of Westminster CollegeWe're pretty certain that when <a href="http://inhabitat.com/permanent-headquarters-for-the-international-criminial-court-in-the-hague/">Schmidt Hammer Lassen</a> designed the new <a href="http://www.cwc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">City of Westminster College</a> campus building, they knew the airy and light-filled central atrium would be used for many a flash mob. In fact on opening day, students of the college celebrated their new energy efficient building with a <a href="http://www.cwc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">flash mob dance</a>. Located in West London, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/barnard-college-makes-an-eco-statement-with-diana-center/" target="_blank">flagship campus building</a> was designed to to minimize power use and impact on the local environment.1
City of Westminster CollegeSchmidt Hammer Lassen won the award to design the sustainable campus building back in 2006 and recently completed it in 2010.2
City of Westminster CollegeThe campus was built in accordance with the GLA’s initiative to “Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green” as well as BREEAM's framework for the Further Education sector.3
City of Westminster CollegeBuilt to be an adaptable and flexible learning space for the 21st century with diverse architectural spaces that encourage new ways of learning.4
City of Westminster CollegeThe seven story building also includes an exhibition area, a theatre and a café, which encourage community participation.5
City of Westminster CollegeGoals for the building included minimal energy use, reduced building maintenance costs and a low carbon footprint.6
City of Westminster CollegeTo achieve these goals, a comprehensive sustainability strategy was designed that includes a façade that minimizes solar gain to create a light and open environment.7
City of Westminster CollegeTranslucent fins on the east and west façade provide external solar shading.8
City of Westminster CollegeThe building's shape, which is stepped and cantilevered on the south façade, provides solar shading.9
City of Westminster CollegeAn ETFE air cushion covers the atrium at roof level and provides insulation.10
City of Westminster CollegeThe central atrium continues up through the entire building, pulling in daylight from the roof and visually connecting all of the floors together (perfect place for a flash mob).11
City of Westminster CollegeThe building is covered in green roofs that harvest rainwater, which is used along with recycled greywater in the building.12
City of Westminster CollegeNatural ventilation and stack affect from the central atrium help pull in fresh air to the building.13
City of Westminster CollegeThe roof of the building also features even more areas for gathering and studying as well as spectacular views of the city.14
