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Works starts on Tanaka building

Jan 17 2002 11:38

Bob the Builder

Mech Eng building begins to disappear as the construction of the world's second largest greenhouse gets under way.

The 'black tower' isn't going - Norman Foster probably likes it.

This week has seen the start of construction work on the Tanaka extension on Exhibition road, in front of the current Mechanical Engineering building. This has been made possible by the donation of £27 million by Dr Gary Tanaka, an IC alumnus.

The new building will house the IC management school, which will be renamed the 'Tanaka Business School", and will help to disguise the current hideous entrance to the college on Exhibition road. Although the "Black Tower" will remain, it will be re-clad, and hidden inside the vast glass atrium that will make up the main structure of the building.

Live! has learnt that the building work is not just a case of making foundations and putting up the building - this is possibly why nobody has an idea of when the project is meant to be finished. Currently the site offices are being installed, the area is being cordoned off, whilst in the depths of the ex-mechanical engineering workshops, specialists are removing hazardous materials such as Asbestos.

The next stage will be demolition of the workshop buildings - and Live! will keep you up to date with the development of the project.

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Discussion about “Works starts on Tanaka building”

The comments below are unmoderated submissions by Live! readers. The Editor accepts no liability for their content, nor for any offence caused by them. Any complaints should be directed to the Editor.

1. Stuart Davis

Jan 17 2002 14:09

It's going to look awful. Absolutely bloody awful.

Who on earth thought that just because we'd see it through a huge amount of windows, the MechEng building would suddenly look like a great architectural achievement? And who the hell agreed with them and threw millions of pounds at it?

Still, at least it'll look a bit better than CivEng which is, ironically, the most ugly building in college (although it has a lot of stiff opposition).

2. Ashley Brown

Jan 17 2002 20:33

Wow, MechEng looks better already... maybe they should just cover the whole place in chipboard and spend the millions on a new kitchen for the rector...

3. ingrid

Jan 18 2002 10:45

Oh stop moaning - you're getting getting investment that most other unis can only dream of so shut up and stop complaining.

4. Stuart Davis

Jan 18 2002 14:18

I'm not complaining about the investment - I love it when people chuck their money about. Especially when they're chucking it in my direction. I'm just complaining about what they chose to spend it on.

Is it meant to be some new kind of biosphere, so College can watch to see how a large population of students gradually go insane under contolled conditions? Or is an attempt by Imperial to blend in seemlessly with the surrounding architecture?

5. Dan L

Jan 18 2002 17:19

If you had gone to the Rector's talk this afternoon, you would know the ?27 million given to IC was under the constraint that it would be spent on the Management school. So stop complaining.

6. Ashley Brown

Jan 18 2002 22:41

That's the key point in all of this ... the new management building is the main target for the money which can only be a good thing. And at least the place might look good from a distance (prospectus photos).

If it wasn't for the greenhouse, we wouldn't have the money. It's not like College is paying out for the whole thing itself.

7. Stuart Davis

Jan 21 2002 11:20

Humf.

*Goes and sulks in the corner*

8. Bob the Builder

Jan 21 2002 22:52

Stay there then.

9. Stuart Davis

Jan 22 2002 14:08

Charmin'!

Talk about knowing when you're not wanted.