CASE STUDY // Learning
Queen’s Management School
Riddel Hall, Belfast
Project
Queen’s Management School
Location
Riddel Hall, Belfast
Client
Queen’s University Belfast
Contractor / Lead Consultant
Felix O’Hare | Todd Architects
Sectors
Learning
SCOPE
The new Business School at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and biophilic educational environment within the historic Riddel Hall site. Key objectives include enhancing accessibility, embracing sustainable design principles, and maximizing the use of natural daylight.
Key Features:
- the new building is subservient to the existing Riddel Hall buildings, preserving the lawn area and mature trees while minimising visual impact within the Stranmillis Conservation Area.- accessible pathways, parking, seating, and entrances, including wheelchair-friendly picnic areas, following current recognised standards for inclusivity.
- four landscaped outdoor podium spaces featuring geometric planters with sensory planting and an accessible café terrace integrated with the surrounding woodland.
- high-quality natural stone, clay, and concrete paving and kerbing, including underground tree pits in hard-surfaced areas.
- long-flowering plants that blend with building aesthetics while supporting biodiversity and providing shade and nesting habitats.
- use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), such as vegetated swales, permeable paving, sedum and wildflower green roofs, along with biodiversity enhancements to support a range of species and achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
- integration of geothermal and air-to-water heat pumps, solar panels, and a natural ventilation strategy to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint.
OUTCOME
The design team successfully fulfilled the client’s vision by ensuring the building, paths, car park, andbreak-out spaces integrate into the sensitive landscaped setting, fostering a strong connection between users and the surrounding mature woodland.