LSE Saw Swee Hock Student Centre

GEM Joinery was appointed to design and install the complete external timber façade and entrance canopy for the new Students’ Centre at the London School of Economics, the first new building on campus in over 40 years. Designed by award-winning architects O’Donnell & Tuomey, the building is a landmark project for the university, intended to set a new standard in innovation, sustainability, and design excellence.

Our scope included the full design and delivery of a bespoke Jatoba hardwood curtain walling system, developed and tested in line with CWCT standards. The project called for careful planning and coordination, particularly given the constraints of the central London site. Key features included:

• A bespoke Jatoba hardwood curtain walling system, designed and engineered to meet CWCT performance criteria
• Custom fixing systems designed for integration with the existing structure
• A complex entrance canopy structure combining mild steel, Jatoba hardwood, and structural glass
• Integration of façade elements with the building management system to support heating and ventilation control