28.3 FEATURE PROJECT: banking on the future

28.3 FEATURE PROJECT: Banking On The Future

A recently completed project designed by acla:works architecture + interiors

Banking on the Future: A New Commercial Bank and Student Plaza at the

University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago

KEY FEATURES

Sited in an urban context
Low impact development (LID) and urbanscaping
Modular design, maximum flexibility in use of space
Passive design

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

It is often said that the third time is a charm. The new Republic Bank UWI is one such case, being the third iteration of a project nearly 10 years in the making.

Republic Bank Limited, one of the leading financial institutions in the Caribbean has a very long and symbiotic relationship with the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine, Trinidad. For many years, the bank was housed in a repurposed old administrative block on the campus. The bank had long outgrown its accommodation and was in great need of a new facility. Republic Bank Limited nobly took the opportunity to create a model wherein a new branch could be built on campus while providing a component of benefit to the university. The benefit was to come in the form of student amenity.

The new development includes a student-oriented banking facility, a public plaza space and coffee shop. A later phase will include a commercial block housing shops geared towards student activity and will generate revenue for the university.

The linear block is comprised of stone and glass, allowing natural light to penetrate the office space. The stone adds a layer of timelessness to the facility. The narrow geometry of the building allows modularity; and, no internal columns maximizes the future flexibility of the space. The façade is designed to maximise on shading and reduce glare through the use of gray glass and sunshading devices.

Flooding is one of the site-specific challenges encountered by the design team and is a very sensitive issue for the university. Hence, low-impact development strategies were incorporated – combining hardscape with softscape, a bioswale to allow slow percolation; and a detention tank below the fountain.

The car park area is designed specifically to accommodate student functions after hours, using light coloured concrete, rather than the typical asphalt. During the World Cup for example, a game may be projected unto the solid wall of the eastern façade of the building.

ARCHITECT’S STATEMENT

The relationship between Republic Bank and acla:works spans over 25 years. “When the bank first came to us nearly 10 years ago to design the new UWI branch, we endeavoured to create a memorable space that would enhance the campus and uplift the northern entrance to the university”. A lot of attention was given to the urban and landscape design to meet the very specific site coverage ratios. A mixture of urbanscaping and softscaping combine to create a beautiful sense of place.

“In designing the building we adopted a very rational approach, using modular design to achieve the best results within a very precise budget. A lot of attention was given to the introduction of filtered natural light within the internal spaces to enhance occupants’ sense of well-being.”

“Multi-stakeholder projects such as these require a tremendous amount of patience. Perseverance and dedication are key to pushing through projects with such incredible gestation periods. The end result is truly rewarding and the team effort is outstanding” says acla:works director Mandilee Newton, one of the principal architects on the project.

BUILDING DETAILS & CREDITS

Project Republic Bank UWI

Area 12,500 sf

Owner Republic Bank Limited & The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad

Architecture/ Project Management acla:works

Interior Design acla:works, Sam Bayne Design Consultant

Structural/ Civil Engineering  BBFL Phillips

Mechanical/ Electrical Engineering ENCO

Landscape & Urban Design Arch. acla:works, ReCUA

Landscape Architecture TMS Trinidad

Façade Engineering Christopher Eyers & Associates

Contractor Unicom Limited