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New Research Grid in the Science Library opens to graduate students
27 January 2016
A new upgraded Research Grid for graduate students is open on the 4th floor of the UCL Science Library.
About the Research Grid
The brand new Research Grid, providing graduate students with improved learning facilities, is now open. Refurbishment of old office space on the 4th floor of the Science Library has provided a contemporary 74-seat space for graduate students to study either collaboratively or in private.
Collaborative study desks
The new study area and seminar room
More space for social study
New lockers
View from the tea/coffee point
Print/copy/scan machine
Computer pods and desktop PCs
Group meeting room
Casual seating
Designed by Burwell Deakins Architects the new upgraded Research Grid is equipped with many features requested by graduate students including refreshment facilities, comprehensive new audio visual equipment and graduate lockers.
New facilities
- Private Skype point
- 24 all-in-one Desktop PCs
- Hot drinks vending machine and a hot water point for tea and coffee
- Graduate lockers
- Graduate meeting room
- Areas for social study and individual study
- Print/copy/scan
The new Research Grid project is the latest project completed by UCL Estates as part of Transforming UCL.
“I would like to congratulate Library Services on behalf of the research student community for the great new Research Grid. It is light and spacious with many more desks than the previous facility. Particularly impressive are the large screen AV facilities and provision of an area for communicating with collaborators by Skype. I encourage all research students to have a look - and to use it.
Prof. David Bogle FREng, Pro-Vice-Provost of the Doctoral School.
New Research Grid… this is what you said…
The new Grid incorporates many of the ideas put forward by students during a consultation on the design proposal.
| You said... | We did... |
|---|---|
| More lockers! | We received many comments asking for additional lockers to be provided. Based on this feedback there is a bank of student lockers in the new Research Grid. |
| Open 24/365 please | Sadly, the new Research Grid is not open 24/365. The Graduate Hub remains available 24/365. Library Services will be opening the Science Library 24/7 during the busy exam revision period. |
| Strong, reliable Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi coverage in the new Research Grid is improved. |
| More kitchen facilities: fridge, microwave, coffee vender, hot water | There is a hot water tap and a fridge in the new Research Grid along with cupboards above the kitchen bench for mugs, coffee and tea storage. Unfortunately there is no microwave as it will not comply with Fire Regulations, however the microwave in the Graduate Hub remains available. A coffee/hot drinks vending machine is provided. |
| More printers please | A print@UCL device is available in the new Grid. |
| Couch/social area please | We agree it would be nice to have a sofa in the new Research Grid, however, the addition of a sofa would require an overall reduction in the number of study desks. Two banquettes will be available for social learning. |
| Adjustable chairs please | High-quality adjustable chairs (using the Cruciform Hub as a model) have been purchased for the Grid. |