Construction is now underway on the University of Southampton’s £123 million North East Quadrant (NEQ) development, a state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility set to transform the Highfield Campus. Spanning five floors and 15,000 sqm, the new building will offer cutting-edge academic spaces, including lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and event teaching
The University of East London (UEL) is extending its strategic partnership with global technology company Siemens in a contract that will see the business design and install a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to help power its net zero campus of the future. The new WSHP is set to be
MARKING a key development milestone, work has begun to construct a brand-new secondary school for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Greenwich. Located on Hargood Road, Rowan Wood School will provide 128 places for children aged 11-19 with autism (ASD) and complex needs, and is set to complete later
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has commenced construction on the new Nairn Academy school, having been awarded the £61 million contract by The Highland Council at the end of 2025. The company will be responsible for the design and construction of the new 9,767 square meter school and new 3G
A specialist school in Salford has unveiled plans for a £7.5m expansion scheme to meet growing demand. The project will enable Aim Habonim Special Educational Needs School in Broughton to increase pupil numbers from 75 to 125. It will involve creating a three-storey extension, which will more than double the
King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham has expanded its facilities with a bespoke modular building supplied by GSC Group. The new building, consisting of a classroom, office space, changing rooms and a storage area, will provide additional room to support the school’s outdoor education programme. King Edward VI Five
Construction of Blackpool’s new town centre Multiversity campus for Blackpool & The Fylde College is expected to begin later this year, following the approval of compulsory purchase powers by an independent planning inspector. The state-of-the-art Multiversity campus aims to welcome up to 3,000 students and staff upon its anticipated opening
ACCELERATING educational development, construction is underway to deliver a new design, technology, and science block at a 400 year-old+ school in Northamptonshire, transforming the campus for its students. Leading multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is working on the project at Wellingborough School on London Road, delivering architectural and civil engineering services
A new primary school will be coming to Stafford this year, opening to students for the start of the new school intake for 2025/26. Burleyfields Primary School will be located on Martin Drive in Stafford and will be part of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, catering to demand for extra
THE recent expansion of the University of Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by AJ100 practice GT3 Architects, is bringing an elevated sport, leisure, and wellbeing experience to students and residents alike. The £24.7m expansion of the existing sports facility includes a fitness suite with more than 200 stations – making
Construction is now underway on the University of Southampton’s £123 million North East Quadrant (NEQ) development, a state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility set to transform the Highfield Campus. Spanning five floors and 15,000 sqm, the new building will offer cutting-edge academic spaces, including lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and event teaching areas, alongside independent study zones. Designed to enhance the student experience, it will also feature a café, changing facilities, a nursing room, and a variety of indoor and outdoor social spaces, creating a vibrant hub at the heart of the Quadrant. Positioned at the edge of campus, the NEQ will form part of a striking new entrance to the university. With an impressive façade and double-height windows, the architecture draws inspiration from Southampton’s historic landmarks, such as the Civic Centre, ensuring it blends seamlessly with the city’s character. Kier hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith, faculty members, the estates team, and representatives from the Students’ Union. “We are delighted to get started on our works for the University of Southampton. This marks an important milestone for a project that will deliver world-class learning spaces for students,” said Cheryl Ward, Managing Director of Kier Construction Southern. “Our team has worked closely with the university to bring their vision of a sustainable, state-of-the-art building to life, and we are proud to support this development with the best of our local talent and expertise.” Designed with sustainability at its core, the project aligns with the university’s Sustainability Strategic Plan and aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent standards. A fabric-first approach will reduce operational carbon, with energy-efficient materials helping to cut energy demand by 40%, lowering both costs and environmental impact. The building will also prioritise comfort, with ample natural ventilation creating a bright and airy learning environment. “This space will be a hub of creativity, collaboration and academic excellence, ensuring that the University of Southampton continues to be a sector leader in education,” said Professor Mark E. Smith. Kier’s involvement in this project continues its strong track record of delivering high-profile university developments across the UK, including projects for the University of Derby, the University of Huddersfield, and Warwick University. The NEQ building is set to be completed by summer 2027, ready for the 2027/28 academic year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of East London (UEL) is extending its strategic partnership with global technology company Siemens in a contract that will see the business design and install a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to help power its net zero campus of the future. The new WSHP is set to be the largest fitted at any university and will power the university’s Docklands Campus Library and Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability buildings, replacing existing gas boilers – and together with campus existing green energy infrastructure, achieve carbon zero in these spaces. Submerged in the River Thames, the closed-loop system will use a series of pipes to extract natural heat from the water in the Royal Albert Docks, providing a cost-effective heating system which will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 258 tonnes without removing vast quantities of water from the river. The system is scalable to allow the university to extend in the future similar heat pump systems across the Campus and the wider Royal Docks – the only Enterprise Zone in London – and is part of the long-term partnership with Siemens, which is supporting the university’s transition to net zero by 2030. The strategic partnership, which was formed in 2022, has already seen Siemens deploy a variety of decarbonisation technologies including solar PV, Building Management Systems and EV charging infrastructure across the university campus. In addition, Siemens is using its Building X technologies and data analytics to allow UEL to better understand its energy consumption and drive research and enterprise programmes. UEL has reduced its CO₂ emissions and carbon-producing energy consumption more than any other modern London university already, and by 2026 will achieve the lowest emissions per student in the UK – putting it on track to achieve its 2030 net zero targets. The partnership is providing a clear, replicable blueprint for sustainability. As well as saving the university over £500,000 per year in utility costs and reducing emissions by over 1,000 tonnes annually, the partnership has driven a unique range of successful green employability, enterprise and research initiatives including student internships, MSc sponsorships, hackathons, and the creation of a ‘Living Lab’ for training and research on sustainability. This project directly supports the Mayor of London’s vision for a greener, more sustainable capital, advancing his commitment to cleaner air, renewable energy, and achieving net zero by 2030. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is leading the way in the fight against climate change, and projects like this pioneering partnership between the University of East London and Siemens are key to our city’s transition to a greener, more sustainable future. By harnessing the power of the River Thames to heat university buildings, this initiative demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can drive real progress towards net zero. It not only reduces carbon emissions but also sets a powerful example of how London’s institutions can embrace cutting-edge, clean energy solutions to build a better, fairer and greener city for all Londoners.” UEL Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Amanda Broderick, said: “We are committed to driving forward sustainable innovation that not only reduces our environmental impact but also creates a living laboratory for the next generation of climate leaders. This Water Source Heat Pump demonstrates how universities can be at the forefront of the green energy transition, harnessing our natural surroundings to drive real change. Through our strategic partnership with Siemens, we are accelerating towards our 2030 net zero targets, delivering cutting-edge solutions that will benefit all the communities we serve, and the planet.” Andrew Smyth, Head of Sustainability for Smart Infrastructure Buildings, Siemens UK and Ireland, said: “Decarbonising heating systems is a critical step towards achieving net zero carbon emissions. The University of East London has a fantastic resource in the Thames, right on its doorstep. Harnessing renewable power from the water allows it to take huge steps towards its net zero goals. “The investment is underpinned by our long-term strategic partnership. And it demonstrates how data-led insights of buildings and energy consumption provide heightened confidence in deploying large-scale renewables technologies like Water Source Heat Pumps. The programme is setting the blueprint for how sustainability can be a catalyst for fantastic collaboration and innovation between businesses and universities.” Building X is Siemens’ digital building platform designed to digitalise, manage, and optimise building operations. It aims to enhance user experience, increase performance, and improve sustainability. Building X integrates various applications and services, including energy management, security management, and building automation, to create a unified data environment that enhances accuracy and efficiency. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MARKING a key development milestone, work has begun to construct a brand-new secondary school for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Greenwich. Located on Hargood Road, Rowan Wood School will provide 128 places for children aged 11-19 with autism (ASD) and complex needs, and is set to complete later this year. The two-storey SEN facility will be situated on the site of former primary school Kidbrooke Park, which has been demolished to make way for the new purpose-built school. Designed to Department for Education (DfE) regulations and Building Bulletin 104 (BB104) guidelines, Rowan Wood will consist of three modular buildings which will be linked together, with one building dedicated to administration and dining, and the other two designed for teaching. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the project, providing project management, cost management, and health and safety services via the Crown Commercial Service Construction Professional Services framework, working in close collaboration with contractor Galliford Try and architects Haverstock. Simon Hembury, associate director of project management at Pick Everard, said: “It’s always rewarding to work on SEN schools and consider the unique design requirements that staff and pupils will need from their space. “At Rowan Wood, that means we’re consulting extensively with various stakeholders to ensure we are designing an inclusive space for all, in line with DfE regulations. “The site is located in a residential area, so we have worked very closely with both the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Galliford Try to ensure minimal disruption and ensure everyone is on board with a project that will really transform local educational need in the area. “We’re looking forward to seeing the site evolve over the course of the year and have a positive impact on the region.” As part of the project, the team cleared a large amount of asbestos from the previous school building onsite, ensuring the area is safe for future construction. Helping maintain quality and efficient standards of delivery, offsite construction methods will be used to construct the new school, with transport routes carefully determined to deliver goods and materials to the site. PV panels will also be installed on the roof, with the project targeting BREEAM Excellent. Gavin Bridge, managing director for building southern at Galliford Try, said: “This event marked the start of our collective journey towards providing an exceptional SEN school. We are excited to work alongside the Royal Borough of Greenwich and our partners to bring Rowan Wood school to life. Providing every child with the opportunity to thrive, to learn, and to grow in a setting designed to meet their unique needs and aspirations.” Cllr Majid Rahman, cabinet member for planning, estate renewal and development, said: “This day marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our local education and planning sectors. This is tangible proof of the resource we are inputting into much needed positive developments for our residents. We are working on building more provisions like this in the borough to meet demand which I am eager to see come to fruition.” For more information on Pick Everard’s services, head to https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has commenced construction on the new Nairn Academy school, having been awarded the £61 million contract by The Highland Council at the end of 2025. The company will be responsible for the design and construction of the new 9,767 square meter school and new 3G artificial grass sports pitch, which will replace the existing Nairn Academy secondary school and accommodate 745 students. The school will become Balfour Beatty’s second Passivhaus certified school building in Scotland – a quality assurance certification for the design and construction of low energy buildings – having been awarded the contract to design and build a new campus for Liberton High School in Edinburgh. To achieve Passivhaus certification, Balfour Beatty will install high-performance windows and doors as well as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and reduce energy demand. In addition, as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty is working with the Construction Industry Training Board and Inverness College UHI – a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands – to create ten new apprenticeships positions for local young people. Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this latest new school, further enhancing our legacy in delivering state-of-the-art, sustainable educational facilities across Scotland. “With works now underway, we are working closely and collaboratively with the Highland Council to successfully deliver this new school which will provide an exciting and inspirational learning environment for hundreds of students and teachers, serving both current and future generations.” Works commenced at the start of 2025 and the campus is expected to be complete in 2026. At construction peak, the project will employ 170 people. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A specialist school in Salford has unveiled plans for a £7.5m expansion scheme to meet growing demand. The project will enable Aim Habonim Special Educational Needs School in Broughton to increase pupil numbers from 75 to 125. It will involve creating a three-storey extension, which will more than double the school’s floor space from 1,500sq metres to 3,400sq metres, alongside a remodelling and refurbishment of the existing building. Aim Habonim is an independent specialist day school which caters for Jewish children and young adults aged four to 25 who are severely disabled or have profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism. The school also offers childcare and early years provision. Planning permission has been granted by Salford City Council for the scheme, which school governors hope will begin next year. A large percentage of the cost has been raised and fundraising efforts are continuing to enable the project to be completed. The school was established on the site on Rigby Street in 2012. The current building is the former Broughton Library. David Leaman, chairman of governors, said Aim Habonim has outgrown its existing premises and has bought vacant neighbouring land to develop its facilities across the two plots and provide room for future growth. He said: “We currently have insufficient space to cater for growing demand in the community to meet the needs of children whose requirements cannot be met by mainstream schooling. “Our new, purpose-built modern facility will increase the number of our teaching and therapy spaces and will include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms, provision for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, oxygen therapy, a gym, quiet rooms, one-to-one reading rooms and music rooms, with the goal of helping the children with their physical and mental development and to maximise their potential. “There will also be greatly improved staff facilities and support spaces, including a new reception area, staff rooms, meeting spaces, dining and food preparation facilities where pupils can learn about healthy food and culinary skills, and a school hall. “The expansion and refurbishment of the school will greatly enhance the delivery of education and therapy for the pupils, and some of the facilities will be offered for community use, outside of school hours.” The new extension will be developed in phase one of the scheme. It will be built in red brickwork and the façade will feature colours and patterns in keeping with the natural colours and textures of nearby Kersal Wetlands and Kersal Dale. Phase two will involve the refurbishment of the existing building and a new single-storey extension, plus external works such as landscaping, the creation of play spaces and a sensory garden, a nature garden and tree planting. The expanded site will also feature additional parking spaces, a bus drop-off area and a covered zone for cycle stands. Hawkins\Brown is the architect for the scheme, and the team of professionals also includes Civitas Planning, C4 Projects, Curtins and Waterman Group. Mr Leaman added: “The dedicated new premises and refurbishment are going to transform the performance and landscape of special needs education and care in the community. “The school has set sterling standards and this project will enable us to set the bar even higher and be of even greater benefit to our precious children.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham has expanded its facilities with a bespoke modular building supplied by GSC Group. The new building, consisting of a classroom, office space, changing rooms and a storage area, will provide additional room to support the school’s outdoor education programme. King Edward VI Five Ways School is a highly regarded secondary school that prides itself on fostering academic excellence and personal growth in its students. Outdoor education is an integral part of the curriculum, designed to encourage exploration, cultivate responsibility and empower students to analyse and take risks. Students widely benefit from outdoor learning, clear evidence of which can be seen in a 2005 House of Commons report. The arrival of the new facility will make it easier for pupils to participate in more of these activities. Working with the appointed project managers, TRU Contracts, GCS Group identified a number of potential obstacles regarding installation. Namely, the site was compromised by the presence of ornamental pillars, large branches and a disused telephone wire. GCS Group was able to advise on these matters early in the project. One such solution was the use of a robot to tow the modules through areas where the presence of heavy vehicles could cause safety concerns. “The position of the classroom made it a challenging task. Access was very tight, along with restrictions for overhead cables.” Said the main contractor from TRU Contracts. “All these issues were dealt with at the early stages of the project, allowing for a fault-free installation. A thoroughly professional job.” King Edward VI Five Ways School now has a brand-new outdoor learning space that they hope will foster a sense of adventure in new and existing students. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of Blackpool’s new town centre Multiversity campus for Blackpool & The Fylde College is expected to begin later this year, following the approval of compulsory purchase powers by an independent planning inspector. The state-of-the-art Multiversity campus aims to welcome up to 3,000 students and staff upon its anticipated opening in late 2027. The decision was made by an independent inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government after a two-week public inquiry at the end of last year. The inquiry included submissions from Blackpool Council, Blackpool & The Fylde College, local residents, and landowners. Over the past two years, Blackpool Council has been acquiring properties needed for the development, with over 80% of the required 72 properties already secured through negotiations. The inspector’s approval grants the council the authority to use compulsory purchase powers to obtain the remaining properties within the area bordered by Cookson Street, George Street, Grosvenor Street and Milbourne Street. Despite the legal backing, Blackpool Council will continue to negotiate compensation with property owners, while proceeding with the necessary steps to commence construction in the summer. Outline planning approval for the entire Multiversity site was granted in 2024, and a decision on a reserved matters planning application for the first phase is expected this spring. The planned 115,000 sq ft facility will feature five floors of educational space, offering over 70 courses and enhancing the college’s existing higher education provision. The campus will support a broad range of qualifications, including further education, higher education, and adult learning. Designed to be carbon neutral in operation, the building will incorporate solar panels on its roof and will be heated by sustainable air source heat pumps. A green roof terrace will provide a landscaped study and relaxation space for students. Beyond the first phase of the Multiversity campus, a second phase is being planned for future expansion. In the interim, the space will be used as a temporary car park. Planning consultants Avison Young, architects Hawkins\Brown, and advisors CBRE have been instrumental in shaping the project, while Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the main contractor under a pre-contract services agreement. The Multiversity campus is a key component of phase four of Blackpool Council’s £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration project, which is bringing over 8,000 professionals and students into the area around Blackpool North train station. Recent developments in the area include the opening of a four-star 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel with a Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant in May and a new tram-train interchange in June. Additionally, a new Department for Work and Pensions office will open on King Street this spring, bringing over 3,000 government employees to the town centre. Plans are also progressing for a £45 million, 52,950 sq ft office on Talbot Road, expected to house over 1,000 employees, with a new multi-storey car park on Church Street in development. The land for the new Multiversity campus is being acquired with the support of a £9m Government grant, while construction funding includes a £40m investment from the UK Government secured in 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ACCELERATING educational development, construction is underway to deliver a new design, technology, and science block at a 400 year-old+ school in Northamptonshire, transforming the campus for its students. Leading multidisciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is working on the project at Wellingborough School on London Road, delivering architectural and civil engineering services alongside principal contractor Bowmer + Kirkland. Though the project handover is set for the end of 2025, this is the first scheme in a much larger overarching transformation of the campus across the next 30 years. The two and three storey building will feature new design and technology workshops, the largest lecture theatre on campus seating 220 students, as well as seminar rooms, office spaces, and computer lab connected by a large glass fronted modern reception. The design and materials of the building have been closely collaborated on by Pick Everard and school stakeholders, helping mix the school’s heritage and history with modernity and innovation. Dora Vestito, associate at Pick Everard, said: “This project is a brilliant example of how a modern building can pay service to and respect its history and heritage, which this school is steeped in. “The space itself balances those modern and traditional touches, with a large glass front flooding the space with natural light, while the surrounding materials deliberately call back to a Victorian era, such as red brick and stone finishes. “Once the 30-year masterplan for the campus, which we developed in partnership with the school, is complete, it will be a very impressive overarching vision, with new sports, science and teaching facilities, as well as a new art and theatre venue, within a greatly improved, wider landscape and open space design. “Everyone at Pick Everard is proud to be playing a role in transforming this English institution.” Though the current campus on the edge of Wellingborough was first developed almost 150 years ago in 1881, the school itself was founded as a Tudor-era grammar school in 1595 making it one of the oldest in the country. Today, its 180,000 square metre site is home to mixed pupils from reception all the way to sixth form. Gary Bradley, regional director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We have worked alongside Pick Everard for more than 20 years – much of that time on educational projects – and are delighted to continue that relationship on this most prestigious of schools. We are proud to be building this excellent new design and technology centre.” The project is targeting BREAAM Very Good for energy efficiency. Design has taken a fabric first approach with several sustainability aspects included such as PV roof panels, natural ventilation and thermal modelling performance measuring concurrent with construction to ensure optimum comfort levels for the occupiers and end users. For more information on Pick Everard’s services, head to https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new primary school will be coming to Stafford this year, opening to students for the start of the new school intake for 2025/26. Burleyfields Primary School will be located on Martin Drive in Stafford and will be part of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, catering to demand for extra school positions in the area. Led by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson and Entrust, construction works will be delivered through the Constructing West Midlands framework on behalf of Staffordshire County Council. The scheme will involve the construction of a new two-storey 2FE school with landscaping, car parking facilities, and pedestrian and vehicular paths – providing 420 places from reception to year six which will be opened in a phased approach year on year. The school will have 15 classrooms in total and the build will also include a library, SEN rooms, hall, kitchen facilities, offices and breakout spaces for staff, alongside a studio. Burleyfields has been commissioned as part of the Burleyfields housing development, which has provided 1600 homes in the area, and the primary school is the 10th school delivered for Staffordshire County Council using the Touchstone design model. A ground-breaking ceremony on Friday 17th January marked the start of construction works and was attended by members of the school and stakeholders including G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and the Creative Learning Partnership Trust. Close liaison has been established with local residents to ensure they are kept up to date with site developments, and a delivery time management schedule has been put into place to minimise disruption to the surrounding area. G F Tomlinson has vast experience working within the education sector, providing high quality school provision across the region. Through their long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, the contractor has delivered nine schools to date, the most recent being St Leonard’s Primary School and Beaconfields Primary School in Stafford. The new cohort of students has been asked to imagine and design what they believe their new school will look like and colours and ideas will be incorporated into the final elements of the school design, giving back to the local community. In line with social value commitments, G F Tomlinson will provide site tours and engagement events with the school, meeting local families with pupils who will join Burleyfields in the new school intake. Group managing director of G F Tomlinson, Adrian Grocock, said: “It’s an honour to continue our long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council providing much needed educational provision in the region. “Following our ground-breaking ceremony, we are well-positioned to deliver the build for this landmark primary school, ensuring much-needed primary and nursery places in the area.” Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education including SEND, Jonathan Price, said: “It’s great to see the start of work on the new school, which is really important for the area and for the families in the new estate. “It’s vital that we have sufficient school places for children from across the county and that our schools are fit for future learners. We know that having good facilities helps improve children’s learning, and once open with its state-of-the-art facilities, I’m sure children will thrive. “The new school will also be one of the most sustainable in the County, which will help meet our target of reaching net zero by 2030. I look forward to seeing the school grow over the next few years.” Sam Compton, CEO of The Creative Learning Partnership Trust said: “We as a Trust are delighted to support the Local Authority, the Department of Education and GF Tomlinson in the opening of Burleyfields Primary School. We are excited that Burleyfields will become part of our family of schools in our trust. As a trust, we have a mission to create transformational educative opportunities, promoting social justice and unlocking individual freedom. Burleyfields Primary School will be part of the Burleyfields community offering a welcoming environment where children can flourish academically, creatively and socially. We look forward to welcoming the first cohort of children who will be walking the Burleyfields way.” Rebecca Bell, Principal Designate, said “We have a strong culture of collaboration and look forward to meeting our new children and their families as they embark on their educational adventure.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE recent expansion of the University of Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by AJ100 practice GT3 Architects, is bringing an elevated sport, leisure, and wellbeing experience to students and residents alike. The £24.7m expansion of the existing sports facility includes a fitness suite with more than 200 stations – making it one of Southampton’s largest gyms – alongside four fitness studios, an indoor cycling studio, and dedicated climbing and bouldering wall for all abilities. Together with three new squash courts, the new dry side offering seamlessly integrates with the existing wet leisure space, which includes a six-lane pool. Designed in the aftermath of the UK’s Covid-19 pandemic, the new Jubilee Centre represents an important shift in the way leisure facilities can support the wider ambitions of higher educational facilities. The expansion recognised the opportunity to integrate the requirements of the wider local community into a campus facility. The design team worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the final building met not only the diverse needs of the student population – including numerous sports and athletics teams, gym, and social users – but of the wider community too. This robust understanding of user-requirements not only influenced the final building design, but it also supported operator and client aims as they reviewed opening hours, multifunctioning spaces, and identified potential additional revenue streams. Kieran McFarlane, associate architectural technologist at GT3, said: “We designed this centre with people in mind and, while it’s a key part of the university campus, it’s there for the whole community. Every decision has been made with the goal of making sure that anyone – regardless of age, ability or background – can benefit from what the centre has to offer. “Everything reflects a strive to include and welcome a much wider range of users, seeking to support diversity within the average UK student population. Unisex changing areas, adaptive sports equipment, and the option of quiet and private space or louder public spaces have been integrated throughout the facility mix, ensuring visitors of all abilities and preferences can access, train, compete and enjoy everything the centre has to offer. “It was also a priority to ensure the building feels open, inviting and connected to the spaces around it, including Valley Gardens and University Road. The considered design all comes together to create a really vibrant and accessible space designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of all. The state-of-the-art fitness experience embodies this ethos and positions the Jubilee Sports Centre as the central hub for physical activity and community in the area.” A final priority for the university was for the facility to support wellbeing as much as physical fitness, providing safe, welcoming, social-orientated spaces for the student population. Clear sight lines into external green spaces are integrated along primary circulation routes, with visual and physical access to all facilities facilitated through large windows and glazed entry points into the building. The social café opens onto a wide veranda overlooking the adjacent yoga garden, and access to the nearby public park and fitness trails. Consistent communication with the client team through a multitude of channels ensured that every aspect of the scheme was carefully considered to align with project and team ambitions, culminating in a product of enhanced architectural, inclusive, and BREEAM credentials. This collaborative effort across the delivery team assisted in foreplaning for potential complexities in the enhancement works within a live student area, maintaining a fully operational pool facility throughout the construction phase. The tight site required a compact and well-thought-out solution to avoid splitting leisure services across the campus, reinforcing the ethos of accessibility, and providing cohesiveness across the leisure offering. Kieran added: “Getting the connection between the old and new building to be seamless was critical for the user experience, but we also needed to consider how the expanded Jubilee Sports Centre sits within the wider campus landscape. The way we approached the massing of the building works to reflect that of the campus itself, with a stepped down approach to lower-rise residential buildings at one end of the campus – avoiding the sports centre becoming overbearing in its setting.” Designed to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, the building features passive design elements such as natural ventilation and light, with an improved airtightness of 3.5m³/h/m², lowering operational carbon outputs, and constructed with lower embodied carbon in mind, it also aligns the finished scheme with the RIBA 2030 Climate challenge. Mark Craig, Managing Director for Construction South at Wates, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our teams’ work delivering this exceptional facility. Collaborating with such innovators as GT3 has ensured the design was sustainable and considerate at all stages, helping us all support the University’s net zero ambitions. “Our purpose at Wates is to create thriving places for communities, providing opportunities for all to feel included and invested in. We believe this new sports centre is testament to this, helping to improve wellbeing in the local community while delivering a positive social impact throughout the course of its build through extensive Social Value initiatives.” Trudi Vout, director of residences, sport & community at the University of Southampton, said: “The new Jubilee Sport and Recreation Centre stands as an example of our commitment to enhancing the student experience and promoting a culture of inclusivity and wellness through sports and active participation. “The building design embodies the shared vision of sustainability, seamlessly integrating green spaces into the building through expansive windows that invite natural light and lawns that foster connection to nature. “The harmonious integration with our existing structure is a testament to the thoughtful planning and collaboration with our architects, GT3 Architects, whose vision, creativity and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this design to life.” The project team for the expansion of the Jubilee Sports Centre also included Wates Group, Ramboll A/S, Method Consulting, and Studio Loci. For further information, please visit www.gt3architects.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
