News

Congratulations to three members of the Mathematical Institute who were recognised in the 2013 Teaching Awards exercise, held across the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division. Fernando Alday and Philip Maini won two of the four Individual Awards for their outstanding contribution to undergraduate and graduate teaching respectively, and Greg Gyurko won the Special Category Award for Support Staff.

Roger Penrose, Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, joins Astromer Royal Prof. Martin Rees and Ruth Gregory, Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Durham University to discuss one of the major scientific and intellectual achievements of any century.

Professor Marcus du Sautoy's new series broadcast on BBC4 explores why we are driven to measure and quantify the world around us. Marcus du Sautoy is the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

General

Cranes & Fork Lifts:- Mobile cranes are being used occasionally when required.

Entrance:- It is proposed that the access road from gate 7 will be closed with alternative access for a period of 9 days starting from either 8/6/2013 or 15/6/2013. This is to enable the final road build up to be progressed.

Familiarisation:- A timetable has been proposed for system familiarisation.

Visits:- The Mathematics Department tour took place on the 24/5/2013.

Future works for June

Architectural Metalwork:- Roof terrace balustrade brackets are now ready to receive glass.

Waterproofing & Flat Roof:- Decking followed by glass balustrading are due to commence.

Entrance:- The glass to the main roof area has been installed, and work will continue to glaze the sides.

Cladding:- Cladding units to both north and south are virtually installed apart from those left out for access.

Glass Atrium Roofs:- The north atrium roof is complete. The southern atriums have been glazed, with flashings and edge details to finish.

Reconstituted Stone & Brise Soleil:- Brise Soleil (louvred sun shade) is virtually complete.

Ground Crystals: The glass support steelwork to the north & south crystals are complete and ready for glass installation.

Lifts:- The lift contractor Thyssen have installed all large lifts. 2 platform lifts are presently being installed.

Mechanical & Electrical:- The power, water and gas are now connected. Commissioning has commenced and will test and balance each system.

Internal Fitout:- Carpet have been continuing in the north, while decorations and joinery are continuing in the south.

Lecture Theatres:- The staging and tiering are now close to completion, allowing floor services to progress. The tiling to the main mezzanine area has been installed under the north crystal area.

Joinery:- Specific timber balustrade panels have been completed in the south major atrium to allow the south crystal to be installed. The remaining less critical timber balustrade will now continue.

Smoke Curtains:- Smoke curtain boxes have been installed in the north and south atriums. A smoke curtain, when deployed in the event of a fire, will direct smoke away from escape routes.

External Works:- Kerb laying and paving have been progressing to all external areas.

Inspections:- As areas become complete, sections are made available for inspections.

Recent Site Photos

We were very pleased to receive over 160 applications to our Sculpture Competition, containing many excellent ideas and beautiful designs.

The Selection Committee has reviewed all the entries, and selected four proposals for further consideration. The shortlisted artists are

• Mat Chivers http://www.matchivers.com
• Charles Hadcock http://www.charleshadcock.co.uk
• Conrad Shawcross http://conradshawcross.com
• Troika http://troika.uk.com

Congratulations to David Acheson who is to receive an Honorary D.Sc from the University of East Anglia, in recognition of his influential work in bringing mathematics to the general public. The degree will be conferred at a ceremony in July.

The department recently sent a select group to James Dalgety’s wonderful Puzzle Museum, home to 50,000+ examples of the capacity of objects to challenge our imagination and ingenuity, with the aim of identifying puzzles that could form an exhibit to mark the opening of the new Mathematical Institute building.

[file:Trip_to_James_Dalgetys_wonderful_Puzzle_Museum.pdf=Read more about this visit in this account by Thomas Woolley]

The Annual Maths Alumni Garden Party will take place a little later this year on 21 September to coincide with Alumni Weekend in Oxford and the opening of the New Mathematical Institute building. It promises to be our best event yet.

General

Cranes & Fork Lifts:- Mobile cranes are being used occasionally when required. The metal hoarding along the site access road will gradually be substituted with A shaped bases and harris fencing as greater access is required.

Future works for May

Architectural Metalwork:- Roof access ladders have been installed. Roof terrace balustrade brackets are now ready to receive glass. Stair balustrading are largely installed to core areas.

Waterproofing & Flat Roof:- Decking followed by glass balustrading are due to commence imminently.

Entrance:- The glass to the main roof area has been largely installed, and will now continue to glaze the sides.

Cladding:- Cladding units to both north and south are virtually installed apart from those left out for access.

Glass Atrium Roofs:- The north atrium roof is complete. The southern atriums have been glazed, with flashings and edge details to finish.

Reconstituted Stone & Brise Soleil:- Brise Soleil (louvred sun shade) is nearing completion.

Ground Crystals: The glass supports to the north crystals are complete and ready for glass installation. The south crystal steelwork is largely installed.

Lifts:- The lift contractor Thyssen will have the car lift and energy lift complete and tested by 17/5/2013.

Mechanical & Electrical:- The power, water and gas are now connected. Commissioning has commenced and will test and balance each system.

Internal Fitout:- Carpet have been continuing in the north, while decorations and joinery are continuing in the south.

Lecture Theatres:- The staging and tiering is complete to the large lecture theatre. The medium and small lecture theatres ceilings have progressed enough to allow both birdcage scaffolds to be removed and staging to start in the medium theatre. The tiling to the main mezzanine area has been installed under the north crystal area.

Joinery:- Specific timber balustrade panels have been completed in the south major atrium to allow the south crystal to be installed. The remaining less critical timber balustrade will now continue.

Smoke Curtains:- Smoke curtain boxes have been installed in the north and south minor atria. A smoke curtain, when deployed in the event of a fire, will direct smoke away from escape routes.

External Works:- Kerb laying and paving started on 29/4/2013. Four of the five external areas have commenced with either kerbs or paving.

Recent Site Photos

General

Cranes & Fork Lifts:- TC1 tower crane was dismantled on the 25th & 26th April. Any remaining works will then be carried out with the use of roof cranes or mobile cranes. The metal hoarding along the site access road will gradually be substituted with A shaped bases and harris fencing as greater access is required.

Visits:- The Mathematics Department tour took place on the 26/4/2013.

Future works for May

Architectural Metalwork:- Roof access ladders have been installed. Roof terrace balustrade brackets are now ready to receive glass. Stair balustrading are largely installed to core areas.

Waterproofing & Flat Roof:- All roofs have been waterproofed, and had either paving or sedum finished applied, with mansafe system fixed. A mansafe system is a firmly fixed cable that is hooked onto when working or maintaining roofs. Decking followed by glass balustrading are due to commence by 13/5/2013.

Entrance:- The lower level glass to the main roof area has been installed, and will now continue to glaze the upper level. Side steels (hockey sticks) are being presently being fixed.

Cladding:- Cladding units to both north and south are virtually installed apart from those left out for access.

Glass Atrium Roofs:- The north atrium roof is complete. The southern atriums have the majority of glass installed, with flashings and edge details to finish.

Reconstituted Stone & Brise Soleil:- The Stone contractor Techrete are largely complete with the stone fins that surround the windows. Brise Soleil is following working on the south block.

Ground Floor Crystals: The glass supports to the north crystal is complete and ready for glass installation.

Lifts:- The lift contractor Thyssen will have the car lift and energy lift complete and tested by 17/5/2013.

Mechanical & Electrical:- The power, water and gas are now connected. Commissioning has commenced and will test and balance each system.

Internal Fitout:- All zones have commenced on the north and south buildings. Carpet and blinds have been continuing in the north, while decorations are continuing in the south. The staging and tiering is continuing to the large lecture theatre. The medium and small lecture theatres have had the ceilings installed with painting and service 2nd fix continuing.

Joinery:- Timber balustrade panels continue in the south major atrium.

Smoke Curtains:- Smoke curtain boxes have been installed in the north and south minor. A smoke curtain, when deployed in the event of a fire, will direct smoke away from escape routes.

External Works:- Kerb laying and paving started on 29/4/2013.

Recent Site Photos