Lecture Theatre Block, Brunel University

The Lecture Theatre Block at Brunel University was constructed in the 1960s, representing a significant example of Brutalist architecture within a post-war university expansion. The building comprises a reinforced concrete frame with large, box-shaped north-facing lecture theatres featuring a board marked finish set between prominent piers. The remainder of the building utilizes an exposed concrete frame, precast concrete panels, and extensive metal-framed glazing with contrasting soffit panels.

The layout includes six large lecture theatres, designed to accommodate 160–200 students, with mechanical ventilation, accessed from a central first-floor concourse and gallery. Smaller teaching rooms and lecture theatres, seating 60–80 students, are arranged on three main floors, flanking two long corridors. These smaller spaces incorporate raked lecture seating in the central areas and naturally lit and ventilated classrooms facing outwards. Circulation is provided by centrally positioned stairs in the south, east, and west elevations, along with externally expressed spiral stairs housed within drum stairwells.

The north elevation is a particularly striking element, visually projecting the raked underside of the lecture theatres outwards, a design reminiscent of Stirling and Gowan's Engineering Building at Leicester University. The upper level of lecture theatres projects on large columns and beams above the lower level, further enhanced by projection booths extending outwards. External escape stairs separate the tiers of theatres, with set-back glazed lobbies at their upper levels. In 2005, a glass screen wall and entrance was added, enclosing the former open foyer beneath the raking projection and wrapping around the north end of the building. The rest of the building presents a symmetrical rectangular block with a set-back clerestory to the upper floor, the teaching rooms set forward in blocks between glazed stairwells and entrances. The horizontal emphasis of the projecting upper floors contrasts with the verticality of the recessed stairwells.

The ground-floor north entrance hall features a coffered panelled precast concrete ceiling, although the original quarry tiled flooring has been replaced. The upper concourse and gallery have similar treatment but were also refurbished in 2005. Integral moulded steps and skirtings are found on the centrally positioned stairs on the south and east/west elevations, and within the drum stairwells. The spiral stairs are sometimes freestanding. Steel balustrades are present, some with heavy timber handrails, and are now often supplemented by additional safety rails. Foyers and lecture theatres have undergone refurbishment. Certain facing rooms retain coffered precast concrete ceilings, along with original door frames incorporating vertical glazed side panels, flush panel doors, and original door furniture.