UCL Wilkins Building | Glass Lift Project

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UCL Wilkins Building

IQ Projects delivered the glass lift at UCL Wilkins Building as part of the redevelopment of Wilkins Terrace and the adjoining Lower Refectory at University College London’s Bloomsbury campus.

The wider scheme transformed a former service yard beside the Grade I listed Wilkins Building into a split-level public terrace, improving east-west movement through the university. The lower terrace, serving the new Lower Refectory, was connected to the upper level by a new lift and grand staircase.

IQ Projects provided the lift and associated architectural glazing, integrating the installation into a wider project focused on accessibility, circulation and the sensitive adaptation of one of UCL’s most important historic buildings.

Products Used

Glass Door Systems

Credit

Burwell Architects
Neilcott Construction Group

Location

London, UK

Integrating a glass lift within a Grade I listed university setting

The central challenge was to improve step-free movement through the campus while introducing new infrastructure beside the Grade I listed Wilkins Building.

Wilkins Terrace was designed across two levels, with the lower terrace serving the Lower Refectory. The new lift resolved the change in level between the two areas and formed part of a wider accessible route through the campus.

The intervention needed to support contemporary circulation requirements without overwhelming the historic architecture. Using architectural glazing around the lift helped maintain transparency within the redeveloped public space while allowing the accessibility infrastructure to remain visually lightweight.

The project forms part of IQ Projects’ wider experience in education glazing and heritage glazing projects, where existing fabric, circulation and modern performance requirements must be considered together.

Architectural glazing for an accessible campus route

The lift formed an important part of the circulation strategy between the upper Wilkins Terrace and the Lower Refectory.

Its position allowed users requiring step-free access to move between the two levels without relying on the adjacent grand staircase. This supported the wider objective of creating a more accessible route through UCL’s Bloomsbury campus.

The glazed enclosure kept the lift visually open within the surrounding public space, allowing the new intervention to sit alongside the historic Wilkins Building without creating a heavy visual barrier.

IQ Projects regularly uses structural glass and glazing where transparency is required alongside demanding architectural and structural constraints.

Restricted access and carefully planned installation sequencing

The installation area around the UCL Wilkins Building was constrained, making logistics and sequencing an important part of the glazing package.

The original project record notes that space was tight and that the work had to be completed to a high standard within a relatively short programme. The sequence of installation was therefore agreed at an early stage.

Planning the installation in advance allowed glazing components and associated lift elements to be coordinated within the restricted working area, reducing the risk of clashes with surrounding construction and helping the works progress efficiently.

For complex commercial projects, IQ Projects provides coordinated architectural glazing packages covering design, manufacture and installation.

Performance considerations

The principal performance requirement for the glass lift at UCL Wilkins Building was accessibility.

The lift resolved the level change between the upper and lower areas of Wilkins Terrace and contributed to the wider step-free route through the campus. Its position beside the Grade I listed Wilkins Building also meant the installation had to respond carefully to a sensitive heritage environment.

Transparency was important to the architectural approach. The use of glass around the lift allowed the new structure to remain visually lightweight within the terrace while maintaining views through the surrounding public space.

Buildability was another key consideration. Restricted site conditions meant that logistics and installation sequencing had to be resolved early, ensuring that the glazing could be delivered and installed efficiently within the available working area.

Technical details

Glass lift installation: bespoke architectural glazing integrated with the lift serving the split-level Wilkins Terrace
Access function: lift provides step-free movement between the upper terrace and the lower level serving the Lower Refectory
Site constraints: restricted working space around the lift installation required detailed logistical planning
Installation sequencing: sequence of glazing and lift works agreed at an early stage to manage the constrained installation area
Building interface: glazing coordinated within an existing university building and newly formed terrace arrangement

The glass lift at UCL Wilkins Building demonstrates how specialist architectural glazing can support accessibility within a sensitive historic environment.

The lift formed part of a wider strategy to improve circulation between the Lower Refectory, Wilkins Terrace and the surrounding campus. By combining transparent glazing with careful installation planning, the project introduced essential step-free access without creating a visually dominant intervention beside the Grade I listed building.

Are you working on comparable university, public-sector or heritage schemes? Contact IQ Projects to discuss glass lift enclosures, structural glazing and complex building interfaces.