Latest news with #BasilSpence
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
University of Sussex to replace crumbling concrete
The University of Sussex has been given permission to replace crumbling concrete in a Grade II listed building on its Falmer campus. Brighton & Hove City Council has granted listed building consent to replace the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in Arts Building A, which also suffers from other problems including leaks. The university commissioned a survey of 27 buildings three years ago and found Raac in seven of them. The university intends to remove the concrete panels from the first-floor office, corridors and balcony and replace them with a new timber floor, glazed panel and zinc roof to the balcony. The Falmer campus includes several Brutalist concrete buildings designed by the architect Sir Basil Spence and constructed in the 1960s and 70s. The use of Raac was widespread at the time because it made concrete panels lighter, but it only has a 30-year lifespan, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In a report to the council, the university said the concrete had deteriorated due to "continuous exposure to moisture". "This results in leaching of its structure, cracking and loss of structural integrity," it added. "The Raac planks are past the end of their viable life and pose a risk of brittle failure when traversed." The university is replacing Raac across the campus, with the first phase having started in April 2024 at Bramber House. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. University of Sussex fined £585k in transgender free speech row University of Sussex aims to cut hundreds of jobs University of Sussex support staff to go on strike What is RAAC concrete and why is it a safety risk? University of Sussex Brighton & Hove City Council
BBC News
08-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
University of Sussex set to replace crumbling concrete at Falmer
The University of Sussex has been given permission to replace crumbling concrete in a Grade II listed building on its Falmer & Hove City Council has granted listed building consent to replace the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in Arts Building A, which also suffers from other problems including university commissioned a survey of 27 buildings three years ago and found Raac in seven of university intends to remove the concrete panels from the first-floor office, corridors and balcony and replace them with a new timber floor, glazed panel and zinc roof to the balcony. The Falmer campus includes several Brutalist concrete buildings designed by the architect Sir Basil Spence and constructed in the 1960s and use of Raac was widespread at the time because it made concrete panels lighter, but it only has a 30-year lifespan, according to the Local Democracy Reporting a report to the council, the university said the concrete had deteriorated due to "continuous exposure to moisture"."This results in leaching of its structure, cracking and loss of structural integrity," it added."The Raac planks are past the end of their viable life and pose a risk of brittle failure when traversed." The university is replacing Raac across the campus, with the first phase having started in April 2024 at Bramber House.
