"The building is designed to embody the dynamic character of a<br><br>contemporary Student Union. The complex geometries of the site<br><br>provided a starting point for an unconventional arrangement of<br><br>irregular floor plates, each one particular to its function and each<br><br>working into the next by an intricate system of trapezoidal spatial<br><br>configuration. Space flows freely in horizontal plan and vertical<br><br>section, with stairs gently twisting and slowly turning to create a<br><br>variety of diagonal break-out spaces at landings and crossings<br><br>throughout the building."<br><br>Saw Swee Hock provides an overview of the Saw Swee Hock<br><br>Students' Centre, the first new building constructed at the London<br><br>School of Economics (LSE) for over 40 years. It includes a reception,<br><br>offices, bars, a fitness centre and event and media facilities. The<br><br>book looks at the commissioning process on the part of LSE, through<br><br>the appointment of O'Donnell + T uomey Architects--who were<br><br>selected following a two-stage international design competition in<br><br>june 2009 -- to then focus on the way in which the architects have<br><br>responded to the complexities of the brief and in collaboration with<br><br>the bespoke manufacturers involved; particularly, the quality of the<br><br>bricks, each of which is hand-formed, resulting in a facade that is<br><br>both striking and very unusual for central London.<br><br>The commissioning of this type of building is the manifestation of<br><br>a larger and particularly interesting phenomenon that is happening<br><br>on a global scale: LSE, like a number of other academic institutions<br><br>around the world, has put up an aggressive programme of world<br><br>class architecture as a way of competing with other schools to<br><br>attract students internationally. The book includes contributions<br><br>by julian Robinson of LSE Estates, as well as interviews with the<br><br>designers and manufacturers who were involved in the process<br><br>of the building's realisation."