GMI Construction Group and Luminate Education Group hosted a visit by Leeds MP Alex Sobel to update him on the progress being made on the city’s Mabgate Campus development. Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel, accompanied by Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, toured the construction site, which, upon its completion in summer 2025, will mark a significant expansion of Leeds City College. Milestones completed include the installation of the structural steelwork and the completion of a section of concrete forming a wall of the library. The development will provide around 70,000 sq. ft of additional educational space, while contributing to the area’s regeneration and providing much-needed community resources. Mabgate Campus already holds Leeds City College’s School of Events, Enterprise and Employability, together with studio space for Leeds Conservatoire – both members of Luminate Education Group. Leeds-headquartered GMI’s £26m contract involves partial demolition of existing buildings fronting onto Mabgate, allowing for the construction of the flagship five-storey campus for University Centre Leeds and a new building for Leeds City College’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) centre. As part of the construction of the ESOL building, GMI will also build a new atrium cafeteria, located between the new building and existing converted warehouse space, which is the hub of the Mabgate Centre, providing eco-friendly open-plan learning spaces and specially designed classrooms. Alex Sobel MP said: “It was wonderful to see the buildings taking shape, we really appreciated being able to sign the library wall and look forward to another visit when the buildings are complete, and students are benefitting from purpose-built provision. We know that there is need for more post 16 provision in the city and welcome this development whilst working for further space for post 16 education in Leeds.”  Helen Hayden, who represents the Temple Newsham ward on Leeds City Council, added:  “I was delighted to visit the Mabgate Campus development which represents a significant investment in education and regeneration of this part of Leeds. This project will deliver long-term benefits for the city by creating new opportunities for learning and community engagement, which are key to enhancing our skills base.” Andy Hurcomb, Regional Director at GMI Construction Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alex Sobel MP and Cllr Helen Hayden to the site to show them the significant progress being made. Their visit highlighted the importance of this project to the local community, and we’re honored to partner with Luminate Education Group to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that reflects both the ambition of our educational partners and the aspirations of the wider Leeds community.” David Warren, Group Vice Principal of Development at Luminate Education Group, added: “This project will create a flagship campus that will provide a dynamic learning environment that meets the needs of today’s students and the future workforce. We are thrilled to see this project progress. It project represents a significant investment in education in Leeds, and we are confident it will play an important role in shaping the future of education in this region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A multimillion-pound renovation project at Bradford College has transformed a derelict mill into a flexible digital, science, and allied health training facility for higher-level students. Garden Mills on Thornton Road opened its doors to staff and students this week after months of construction work on the 1900s five-storey building. The development results from £5.8 million in funding from The Office for Students (OfS) Higher Education Capital Fund with a £1.1 million College contribution.  The site is now Bradford College’s dedicated building for HNC, HND, and degree programmes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), including digital and ophthalmic courses. The site supplements the extensive STEM facilities established across other College campuses. Contractors Tilbury Douglas led the Garden Mills project and installation of industry-standard equipment, including six digital IT labs, an ophthalmic dispensing suite, a prep room, a clinical suite, a real-life work environment with consulting and testing booths, a collaboration area, and academic teaching spaces. Christopher Malish, Bradford College’s Vice Principal of Finance & Corporate Services, said:“Seeing Garden Mills return to life has been extremely rewarding. This new facility will enhance the student experience, create more graduate opportunities, and counter regional skills shortages in STEM-related sectors. These aspirations align with our vision of creating ‘a better future for all through education and training.’ “Our strategic objectives include delivering curricula that meet the needs of students, employers, and our community. We’re delighted that Garden Mills will help to upskill local people in specialisms that are in demand while supporting vital regional economic growth.” Garden Mills is the first of several Bradford College capital developments to be completed. Over the last two years, Bradford College secured nearly £32 million in funding, which is being used to enhance, refurbish, and build aspirational new facilities in the heart of Bradford. Other construction projects include new vocational T Level facilities in the College’s David Hockney Building, overseen by Sewell Construction and funded by £3.5 million from the Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5). Set to complete in Autumn, the project will create a commercial barbering salon, nail bar, collaborative lecture spaces, TV studio, media editing and recording studios, and a remodel of The Grove training restaurant. Work on the College’s purpose-built Future Technologies Centre is also underway with Phase 1 of the scheme led by contractor Morgan Sindall. This new site will support the growth of technology and low-carbon skills capability within West Yorkshire and be the home of modern automotive and digital engineering curricula, such as electric/hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing.  The College’s Automotive, Digital and Engineering Department will relocate to the new premises once completed in 2025/2026. Students will use industry-relevant facilities to gain skills in new technologies for careers in a fast-moving sector.  The project was made possible by a £15 million investment from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), boosted by a £2m College contribution.  The Future Technologies Centre, Garden Mills, and T Level facilities all form part of Bradford College’s ambitious estates strategy. The capital masterplan centres around building facilities that open up pioneering student careers and support regional economic growth.Find out more about the Garden Mills project and other ongoing capital projects: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/capitalprojects Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clegg Construction’s project to deliver a £8.8m skills hub designed to train Nottinghamshire-based students for careers in emerging industries continues to progress well, ahead of its completion next summer, with the scheme’s steel frame now being erected. The Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange at West Nottinghamshire College’s bustling Chesterfield Road campus will provide 1,343 sq.m. of teaching and innovation space. The state-of-the-art, steel frame building – currently under construction on the site of the college’s former art and design building which was once home to the Mansfield School of Art – will help facilitate the delivery of a variety of T-Level courses being introduced by the college, with a strong focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, including construction. This highly anticipated facility will also provide a purpose-built space in which the college’s students and partner Nottingham Trent University (NTU) can work with local employers on projects to support the use of evolving technology, helping to meet future labour market needs, decrease skills gaps, and contribute to the creation of well-paid jobs in Mansfield and the wider district. Over the past few months, Clegg has cleared the site and progressed split-level groundworks, and the project is now beginning to come to life as the steel frame is erected ahead of envelope works commencing. Additionally, not all of the old School of Art building has gone forever; the former building’s original stone portico feature – including the frieze, name stone and cornice – has been carefully dismantled and stored, and will provide the feature entrance to the new facility. The new building is set across two floors, responding to the sloping site. It will use light wells to maximise natural light on the lower ground floors alongside heat recovery and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems to help provide a comfortable learning environment. Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be working with one of the leading further education providers in the East Midlands on the construction of its Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange hub. “As a Nottinghamshire-based contractor, several of our staff, including me, are West Nottinghamshire College alumni and neighbours – and many of us began our respective career journeys with a traineeship. We appreciate the value of pathways such as T-Levels and Apprenticeships in encouraging the next generation of young professionals to join the multi-faceted construction sector, and we are especially excited to be involved in the creation of these new facilities.” The skills hub is being constructed on land to the rear of the college’s sixth-form building, with both set to co-exist on the same site. The site team has been working closely with the college to safeguard students, staff and visitors and minimise the impact of works on the learning environment. This has been achieved through considerate programme management, stringent health and safety procedures, and a collaborative communication strategy. Andrew Cropley, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “I’m delighted to see the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange emerge from the ground and begin to take shape. It is a fantastic, physical symbol of a growing sense of optimism and a determination to embrace technology – and to create an exciting and prosperous future for local people. “We look forward to working with our partners from Nottingham Trent University and in local businesses to help young people, adult learners and employers to develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to seize opportunities and grow our economy. “This building will provide a great partner to our sixth-form college on Chesterfield Road and make this site a focus for nurturing skills and expanding knowledge in the very heart of the East Midlands.” Funding for the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange is through a £4.3 million allocation from Mansfield District Council’s Towns Fund pot, £3.8 million from the Education and Skills Funding Agency as part of the second phase of its Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, and £734,000 from the college and NTU. Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “To see the steel frame structure in place for this state-of-the-art facility is a proud moment for the council as we are starting to see the reality of our regeneration plans for education in Mansfield come to life. “I am confident that the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange, once constructed and fully operational, will attract new employers to Mansfield as it develops high-level, industry-relevant skills here. “Our partnership with the college to bring one of the biggest expansions in educational and skills provision for decades is one I am incredibly proud of, and I cannot wait to see the site works gather pace and conclude in the coming months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction work at East Bank, the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has been awarded the highest ranking for sustainable construction. East Bank partner London College of Fashion, UAL, was awarded a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the highest ranking possible, while the surrounding public realm and retail premises were awarded the BREEAM Excellent rating for their high levels of energy efficiency, strong public transport connections, and sustainable use of materials. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings, and earning an “Excellent” rating means the development meets high standards in areas such as energy use, water conservation, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. With the Mayor of London’s robust environmental policies and sustainability goals, achieving this certification not only helps reduce the building’s long-term operational costs but also aligns the project with broader urban development goals. For an academic institution, this level of sustainability enhances its reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious entity, which can attract students, staff, and funding from organizations that prioritize green practices. Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development, London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Achieving such high levels of BREEAM certification for a project of this scale and complexity requires a truly collaborative effort between designers, clients and constructors.  The project team developed a strong evidence base to keep asking ‘How are we doing, and can we do better?’  Mapping the individual BREEAM credits through the design and build stages left the project team clear of what was needed to be done and when.  This pragmatic pursuit of high sustainability ambition defines LLDC’s approach to its developments, with learnings from each project being applied to our subsequent developments.       “Our thanks in particular to London College of Fashion, UAL, Allies and Morrison, Buro Happold, LDA Design and Mace for enabling us to reach our sustainability goals.” Heather Francis, Chief Operating Officer, University of the Arts London, said: “Achieving BREEAM Outstanding certification for the construction of London College of Fashion’s East Bank campus – following the awarding of Outstanding for its design – is a significant milestone for the University and reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability. This recognition also underscores the hard work, collaboration and shared vision of our partners and the project team at UAL. The building will not only inspire creativity and innovation but do so while championing environmental responsibility.”  Nancy Wood, Sustainability & Physics Director, Buro Happold, said: “London College of Fashion, UAL, is a robust and resilient building that could only have been delivered by a truly integrated team. We worked closely with LLDC, UAL and the design and construction team to set a clear sustainability vision and pioneering targets at the outset of the project in 2015. This shared commitment has enabled us to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, as well as targets beyond BREEAM. Key wellbeing features include a welcoming staircase to encourage physical activity, well daylit environments and areas of natural ventilation with orientation-specific shading strategies. To tie into UAL’s Net Zero Carbon target by 2040, operational and embodied carbon has been minimised. Key sustainable design features include high performance glass, high thermal mass, solar panels to generate electricity, a brown roof, connection to the district heat network. The water strategy includes greywater reuse and recycled rainwater.” Andrew Kinsey, Mace Operations Director – Sustainability, said: “Achieving BREEAM Outstanding for the London College of Fashion and BREEAM Excellent for the public realm and retail projects at Stratford Waterfront showcases the exceptional dedication of the Mace team and the contractors to advancing more sustainable construction. Their rigorous attention to detail in gathering evidence and meeting stringent sustainability criteria underscores the team’s success in delivering high-performance, environmentally responsible buildings. “BREEAM certification not only demonstrates LLDC’s commitments to the Mayor of London’s sustainability objectives but also ensures compliance with the UK’s tightening building regulations. The results are a reduced risk of penalties or costly retrofits in the future. For an academic institution, a sustainable, high-performance building can also serve as a showcase for cutting-edge design and green technology, reflecting the institution’s leadership in sustainability and setting a benchmark for future development. The quality of the public realm complements the whole and demonstrates the high standards that can be achieved when all parties work closely together.” News of the BREEAM certification gained at Stratford Waterfront comes shortly after UCL was awarded the same accreditation for its UCL East campus which includes its Marshgate and One Pool Street buildings. East Bank is the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. East Bank is made up of UCL East and London College of Fashion, UAL (both opened Autumn 2023), Sadler’s Wells East (opening 2024), V&A East Museum and Storehouse (scheduled to open in 2025) and BBC Music Studios (opening late 2026/early 2027). This collaborative partnership is rooted in the diverse communities of east London and is a reflection of the creative spirit and legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. East Bank represents the biggest cultural investment from the Mayor of London with support from HM Government and the four Growth Boroughs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

AS PART of wider refurbishment works taking place at Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus, work has been completed to increase the number of teaching spaces available to staff and students and improve existing buildings, collectively valued at £1M.  Completed over the summer in preparation for the new academic year, parts of the John Henry Brookes Building have been redeveloped over ten weeks to create two new large teaching spaces. Stepnell, which heavily specialises in the higher education sector, completed mechanical and electrical works along with necessary demolitions and construction of the new streamlined office space.  As part of the project Stepnell also undertook the fire protection work on the Gibbs building over a nine-week period, upgrading the 1970s building to latest safety standards.  Procured through the Refit & Refurbishment Framework from national provider Pagabo, the respective project completions build on Stepnell’s long-standing relationship with Oxford Brookes University as the sixth and seventh projects completed with the University.  Ian Batchelor, operations manager at Stepnell said: “These refurbishment projects have allowed us to showcase our expertise, not only in the education realm but also within Oxford and South of England. Working alongside our Oxford-based team and their knowledge of the local supply chain, our construction and joinery capabilities have shone in support of the university’s ongoing ambitions for its campus.  “We have been able to demonstrate our clear understanding of live site working, which is incredibly common within education projects, working with our project partners collaboratively on elements such as dust suppression and noise control plans, to ensure that teaching quality retains its already high standard. We’re pleased to have been able to call on our expertise to prepare the buildings in sufficient time before the new academic year.”  As well as working with the university, the Stepnell team also worked closely with appointed management team MGAC, architects ADP Architecture and licensed approved contractor Maylarch, the latter of whom supported Stepnell with the removal of asbestos from the Gibbs building.  Mark Tugwell, deputy director of estates at Oxford Brookes University, commented: “The creation of two large teaching spaces within our John Henry Brookes Building has been an important project for the University. As part of our Oxford Campus Vision, we are in the process of bringing together our Oxford-based activity on the Headington Campus and these high-quality spaces and improvements to the Gibbs building will help to ensure we continue providing an excellent student and staff experience.   “Our campus spaces need to respond to the evolving needs of the University’s community and the rapidly changing world of education. We are pleased to have worked with Stepnell on this project as they have helped to make this a reality and understand the importance of ensuring work was completed in time for the new academic year.”   Ben Jones, southern region head of delivery at Pagabo, said: “There is a huge amount of potential in every existing building, with refurbishment playing a huge role in their future success – something particularly important within education estates. We’re always pleased to see the positive outcomes of the projects procured through our frameworks – in this case, students benefitting from improved and increased teaching space, and the university generating positive social value and making best use of its estate.”  Offered as standard throughout all of Stepnell’s projects in both the private and public sector, increased focus on social value impact was considered throughout the project. As part of this, Stepnell offered project placement work for students in relevant study courses at the university.  To find out more about Stepnell’s education expertise, visit www.stepnell.co.uk, or join in the conversation at @Stepnellltd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals