Evaluation

The William Gates Building exemplifies RMJM's stated commitment to creating innovative and energy-efficient buildings. It is elegant, and of Miesian simplicity, with an efficient organisation of complex facilities within. The judges of the RIBA Awards 2002 said it was 'conceived with simplicity and underplayed grandeur', concluding that, 'the brief called for a building sensitive to its energy use and sustainability, and it has achieved this.'

Although the heating and ventilation systems are still being fine-tuned, the building is functioning well in environmental terms. The occupants enjoy their work environment, especially the manner in which their non-work time is enriched by the spaces offered for their relaxation.

The building can be said to represent very good value within a relatively tight budget of £15m. The brief called for a building sensitive to its energy use and sustainability, and it has achieved this. Natural materials, the timber roof structure and its dramatic tented cover to the cycle parking accurately reflect the nature of the world the computer faculty occupies.