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On the day we welcomedÌýthe University's President and Provost, Professor Michael Arthur, to see some of theÌýcutting-edgeÌýnewÌýfacilities in use by UCL at Here East in Stratford, East London, The Architects' Journal announced that Ìýhad won theÌýprestigious annual award for their retrofit of the former OlympicÌýInternational Broadcast Centre.

Here East desrcribed asÌý'bold, brave and transformational' by AJ judges

Hawkins\Brown fought off stiff competition fromÌýother high-profileÌýpractices andÌýprojects around the world to scoop the top prize at the AJ100 ceremony, which took place at The Tower of London on Wednesday 13 June. Other contenders included Zaha Hadid Architects,ÌýFoster + Partners andÌýFeilden Clegg Bradley Studios.

The panel of 13 judges – comprised of academics, critics, practising architects and otherÌýindustry professionals – praised Here EastÌýasÌý'fresh and visionary' and 'a highly intelligent reuse and reinvention of an existing building'.

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UCL Provost sees the highlights of UCL at Here East's cutting-edge testing and robotics facilities

Guided by Professor Alan Penn,ÌýDean of The Bartlett, andÌý, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, President and Provost Michael Arthur was shown some of the world-classÌýequipment now in use at Here East for testing, prototyping, 3D-modelling and other advanced research activites. Facilities visited onÌýthe tour included:

• Studio spaces for theÌýEngineering and Architectural Design MEngÌýand Design for Manufacture MArchÌýprogrammes
• The Artificial Sky Lab (Bartlett lighting simulator), run by the UCLÌýInstitute for Environmental Design and Engineering (The Bartlett)
• B-made student workshop and fabrication facilities
• The Mobile Heritage Lab,Ìýoperated by the UCLÌýInstitute for Sustainable Heritage (The Bartlett)
• Robotic testing and scanning,Ìýincluding testing of wing components for the aeronautics industry
• Remote roboticÌýsurgery technology being developed by UCL's
• Drones for use in radioactive environments and virtual reality for use with robotsÌý(Computer Science doctoral research projects)
• UCL's (GDI)
• Studio space for the Design for Performance and Interaction MArchÌýfrom the Bartlett School of Architecture
• The soon-to-openÌýoffices of The Bartlett's new Real Estate Insitute (BREI)

As work continues to bring even more research and testingÌýfacilties into operation at Here East,Ìýwe look forward to welcoming increasing numbers of students in the future. Meanwhile,Ìýplans for the huge newÌý campus, also on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, are well underway, with the first phaseÌýexpected to open in 2021.Ìý

Commenting on the possibilities offered by UCL at Here East, Professor Alan Penn said:

“The Here East facilities are all about challenging boundaries – between disciplines,Ìýfaculties and departments, andÌýpractices and pedagogies. We have brought together parts of UCL that research the way that technologies are changing what people can do.We are looking at the human senses and capabilities as these are modified by technology and the environment:Ìýfrom light and sound to the smell of heritage; from interactive structures and tele-roboticsÌýto performative materials;Ìýand from the value of design and placemaking to sustainable communities. Here East is a 21st-century alchemist's crucible.

More information

• Read about the AJ100 Building of the Year Award on the AJ website
• Visit the UCL at Here East website