Bouygues UK has been appointed as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a £28.2 million project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and
Bouygues UK has been selected as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and will be
A BRAND-NEW specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16 from September 2024. Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough
Fife College has welcomed Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP and Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey MSP, to the site of the College’s new Dunfermline Campus (16 August). Joined by representatives from the Scottish Funding Council, the Education Secretary and Minister were given a tour of the new
WindowMaster’s A-grade solutions help to lower energy usage WindowMaster has long championed the benefits of sustainable specification for education, particularly natural ventilation, and how it can support happier, healthier, and more productive learning. Recently, it was involved with a landmark project at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby, a school reshaping
It may be a case of ‘school’s out’ for pupils across the country at the moment but when they return on September 4th, many in Northamptonshire will be walking through the doors of one of the most modern learning facilities in the UK. Algeco UK has completed its Northampton School
Lead contractor Bouygues UK has been appointed by the Department for Education to build Stanmore College, a further education college in Harrow, under the CF21 Framework. The college will be funded by the DfE’s Further Education Improvement Programme. Bouygues UK will be reconfiguring the college’s existing site by replacing four
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, has started work building a new £12 million eagerly anticipated college campus in Skegness. Once complete in 2025, Skegness Learning Campus will offer a diverse range of vocational education courses from the Wainfleet Road site that are tailored to meet the needs
HID® Mobile Access® Offers Students and Staff the Ability to Use Their Smartphones to Gain Touchless Entry Into Buildings HID, the worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, announces today that the University of Dundee is updating its city campus estate implementing HID® Mobile Access® and signature HID Signo™ readers throughout
Construction of the new Aseptic Pharmacy and Sterile Service Department at University Hospital Southampton has hit a significant milestone. A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held to celebrate the building reaching its highest point, marking a key step forward as the project moves closer to its scheduled opening in Spring 2025.
Bouygues UK has been appointed as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a £28.2 million project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and will be the first all-through school (Nursery to Year 11) in the local area, teaching around 600 pupils. As part of its commitment to both education and sustainability, Bouygues UK will use sustainable, low carbon materials as part of the build, including a cross-laminated timber frame. It will use an enhanced quality construction approach through consistent off-site manufacturing, to reduce waste and defects. The two-storey building will feature a green roof with photovoltaic panels. The grass playing fields and MUGA will also have extensive SUDs (sustainable draining systems) featuring attenuation, swales and porous parking areas. The buildings will also be clad in brickwork and timber panelling with feature aluminium framed entrances. John Boughton, Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for Wales and the South West, said the project is a significant one for the Bouygues UK team, which is committed to building sustainable, low carbon schools. John said: “Bouygues UK is dedicated to building low carbon, energy-efficient structures with sustainability at the centre and we’re so pleased to be building St John’s Academy CE. Local communities are also at the heart of construction projects like these, and our St John’s Academy CE project will also use locally sourced labour and materials to build a fantastic school for children in Grove.” Rick Holroyd, Executive Headteacher at St John’s academy said: “‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bouygues UK on the design and build of this amazing school building. Our vision for the new academy is that this wonderful new school will sit at the heart of the emerging Wellington Gate community and, will not only offer outstanding educational provision for local secondary students, but will also offer opportunities and services to meet the needs of all family members within the new community. We are confident that Bouygues UK will deliver a state-of-the-art building which will meet the educational, social and recreational needs of community members of all ages for many years to come.” Other Bouygues UK projects within Wales and the South West region include the exciting new Cotswolds Designer Outlet, the landmark Pentre Awel development in Llanelli and the regeneration of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea. Bouygues UK is also a supplier of both Southern Construction Framework’s (SCF) 5th generation SCF Construct Framework for the South West, on contracts of £4m+, and the DfE CF21 Framework in the South and West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK has been selected as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire. St John’s Academy, a project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and will be the first all-through school (Nursery to Year 11) in the local area, teaching around 600 pupils. As part of its commitment to both education and sustainability, Bouygues UK will use sustainable, low carbon materials as part of the build, including a cross-laminated timber frame. It will use an enhanced quality construction approach through consistent off-site manufacturing, to reduce waste and defects. The two-storey building will feature a green roof with photovoltaic panels. The grass playing fields and MUGA will also have extensive SUDs (sustainable draining systems) featuring attenuation, swales and porous parking areas. The buildings will also be clad in brickwork and timber panelling with feature aluminium framed entrances. John Boughton, Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for Wales and the South West, said the project is a significant one for the Bouygues UK team, which is committed to building sustainable, low carbon schools. He said: “Bouygues UK is dedicated to building low carbon, energy-efficient structures with sustainability at the centre and we’re so pleased to be building St John’s Academy CE. Local communities are also at the heart of construction projects like these, and our St John’s Academy CE project will also use locally sourced labour and materials to build a fantastic school for children in Grove.” Rick Holroyd, Executive Headteacher at St John’s academy said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bouygues UK on the design and build of this amazing school building. Our vision for the new academy is that this wonderful new school will sit at the heart of the emerging Wellington Gate community and, will not only offer outstanding educational provision for local secondary students, but will also offer opportunities and services to meet the needs of all family members within the new community. We are confident that Bouygues UK will deliver a state-of-the-art building which will meet the educational, social and recreational needs of community members of all ages for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A BRAND-NEW specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16 from September 2024. Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough Road, will see pupils benefit from a range of facilities to suit their needs. This includes classroom suites with vinyl areas to support practical learning, a sensory “dark room”, practical teaching spaces including a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room, and a main hall with a demountable stage. The new build SEND school, which has been designed sympathetically to the needs of SEMH learning, has space for 64 pupils, with facilities for 16 primary-aged children across two ground floor classrooms, with the remaining 48 secondary-aged pupils split across two ground floor classrooms, and a further four on the first floor. The first floor also has an additional three classrooms for practical uses. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, providing architectural services for main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, which was procured by the Department for Education (DfE) under the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework. Joe West, associate at Pick Everard, said: “Working on SEND schools is always a privilege, with unique design applications and special consideration for the needs of a diverse range of learning. “Creating an environment that is both functional and comfortable for pupils was central to the aims of the project, which should in turn aid the school in attracting and retaining students in the area. “The construction technique employed on this project was a fully offsite solution, so thorough sequencing and planning was paramount to ensure all materials were delivered safely and successfully, as well as meeting the highest standards. “We’re delighted to have worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland once again to deliver this fantastic academy for pupils in the area with SEMH needs.” Driving sustainability initiatives, Bowman Academy’s design includes a ‘fabric-first’ approach, which reduces the energy requirements of the building through measures including high levels of insulation, heat recovery and air tightness. High efficiency boilers have been installed at the school, which will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), as well as LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls for resource management. The building also has glare control and sustainable natural ventilation, providing a low energy cost solution. Additionally, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array, providing a ten per cent energy consumption offset from renewable technology. Steve Waldron, contracts manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We have been working for the DfE since 2013 and are proud of the 73 schools we have completed, but specialist schools are unique in the enormous difference they make to the pupils and their families. We are delighted to continue our relationship with Pick Everard to deliver another fantastic facility which will improve the lives of so many young people.” Cllr Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for Children and Families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “It is exciting to see the school completed and we’re looking forward to it opening and welcoming new pupils. “The building of Bowman Academy part of a wider program to ensure provision is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Leicestershire, as close to their homes as possible. “This includes both the building of special schools and creating provision in mainstream schools.” James Ellis, CIT’s director of SEND education, said, “This is a very exciting time for Bowman Academy. SEMH is a unique sector of education requiring distinctive building design to support the delivery of specialist teaching and care for pupils. “We look forward to welcoming children in Shepshed and the surrounding area to our new setting and supporting them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in adult life.” The project at Bowman Academy builds on further work from Pick Everard in Shepshed, following its key role in the £2.5m regeneration of its town centre in March. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fife College has welcomed Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP and Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey MSP, to the site of the College’s new Dunfermline Campus (16 August). Joined by representatives from the Scottish Funding Council, the Education Secretary and Minister were given a tour of the new campus which is set to open later next year. Construction partners Balfour Beatty showed the group the latest progress as work on the site continues at pace, using the latest low-energy and net-zero construction processes to ensure the building is net-zero ready. The build is part of the new Dunfermline Learning Campus – an innovative, integrated and collaborative venture to relocate the College’s Dunfermline Campus, St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School to a purpose-built and state-of-the-art new campus. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “It is important that students are able to access opportunities to further education easily and effectively as possible. It is also crucial that their learning environments are fit for the future and support Scotland’s net zero ambitions. That is why the Scottish Government is providing up to £154.5 million in capital investment to support Fife College’s vision for Dunfermline Learning Campus. “I have no doubt that these state-of-the-art facilities will be a huge asset for students in supporting the development of their skills, whilst playing an important role in supporting the economy of both the local area and wider across Scotland.” Jim Metcalfe, Principal of Fife College, said: “Fife College has a close working partnership with our new neighbours of St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School. We’re delighted to work with them, and other schools across the region, to build a student-centred, innovative pathway for learners to move seamlessly from school, to college, and on to work and further study. “The significant investment that the Scottish Government and the Funding Council are making into our new campus, at a time of financial challenge across the public sector, is an invaluable commitment to driving the College and regional economy forward.” Martin Boyle, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “As Scotland’s tertiary education funding body, we’re committed to making it as easy as possible to navigate the pathways between school, college and university. “The Dunfermline Learning Campus will be unique in its ability to support people as they develop their potential from secondary school onwards, and go on to contribute to society and the economy. “As a modern, flexible and low carbon campus, it will also be at the forefront of exciting changes around where and how we learn, and will become a fantastic asset to the Fife region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WindowMaster’s A-grade solutions help to lower energy usage WindowMaster has long championed the benefits of sustainable specification for education, particularly natural ventilation, and how it can support happier, healthier, and more productive learning. Recently, it was involved with a landmark project at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby, a school reshaping the educational landscape as the UK’s first biophilic school, with the natural environment woven deep into the building’s DNA. The goal was simple: to create a healthy, happy, and productive learning environment using fresh air, natural daylight, and biophilia, whilst keeping CO2 as low as possible. Let’s take a closer look… One in, one out With sustainable design at the heart of the project, carbon neutrality was a core objective, meaning energy consumption and emissions had to be kept to a minimum wherever possible. During an early discussion about the Academy’s intended utilities, its ventilation requirements were soon identified as an area where carbon and energy costs could be kept down. Understandably, traditional mechanical systems were ruled out due to higher operational emissions and maintenance requirements, also because their use would make meeting the required Net Zero outcome much harder. So, after consultation with lead contractor Cundall, they advised the project team were looking for a passive alternative, project architects Hawkins Brown settled on a Smart Windows Network. Quickly appreciating the efficacy and efficiency of this type of system, that simply automates the opening and closing of windows to regulate fresh air throughout a building’s interior, it was then selected as the solution. It was felt by all parties this choice would best guarantee maximum amounts of fresh air circulated within the building’s interiors, with lower CO2, less maintenance, and smaller energy bills. Of course, establishing and installing a Smart Windows Network takes a high degree of expertise, this led the project team to approach WindowMaster – the leading natural and hybrid ventilation specialist, to integrate & deliver the complete solution. The natural choice WindowMaster arrived on site during August 2023, the combination of cutting-edge technology, high-quality components, and expert consultation played an integral part in installing / integrating actuators & controls into this landmark project. The school design required 18nr ‘ventilation’ zones. This was achieved using 11nr networked control panels & 18nr intelligent CO2 & temperature sensors. Capable of monitoring the indoor CO2, temperature, and humidity, these sensors work by limiting window opening times, and keeping rooms comfortable all year round. This is made possible through its signature, NV Embedded® technology, a unique solution that can also provide seamless interface with building management systems (BMS). The controls network was then combined with WindowMaster’s signature smart actuators, a total of 90nr OEM WMX 823 models fitted into the façade’s VELFAC windows and 42 WMU 882 models installed on the high-level modular roof lights. Strong and effective, these actuators offer millimetre precision when opening and closing windows, accurately modulating for precise airflow control. Optimal learning Beyond sustainability, WindowMaster’s systems also provide optimal indoor air quality and maximum climatic comfort within learning environments. Studies have shown the benefits of continuous, freshly oxygenated air in the education environment, it helps students to focus, giving them the ‘brain food’ they need to learn and engage, especially when combined with sunlight from large windows. Without removing stale air, pupils can become lethargic and are less likely to participate, which could impact their grades over time. The Smart Window Network at St Mary’s achieves this with minimal mechanical intervention, consistently bringing in fresh air and removing it simply through the management of natural air currents. Comfort-wise, the ‘NV Embedded’ system works hand in hand with building management systems on site to maintain a constant pleasant temperature, again at a low carbon cost. But that’s not all, to provide added flexibility, 5nr comfort control panels were fitted throughout the site. This meant staff could quickly customise classroom conditions, and keep their students as engaged as possible, by ensuring optimal ventilation dependent on internal / external atmospheric conditions. Commenting on the new natural ventilation system, WindowMaster’s UK Director, David Brown, said: “St Mary’s represents a new era for educational buildings. It’s all about promoting the physical and mental health of the pupils by keeping them connected to nature. We understand that the air children breathe and the environment that they learn in are crucial to their health and development, which is why St Mary’s opted for our ventilation systems. The school is a pilot project by the Department for Education and we needed to get it right the first time around. The client knew a low-energy solution was the way forward but refused to compromise on performance which is where our technology came into its own. We knew exactly what they were trying to achieve.” To find out more about WindowMaster’s cutting-edge ventilation solutions click here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
It may be a case of ‘school’s out’ for pupils across the country at the moment but when they return on September 4th, many in Northamptonshire will be walking through the doors of one of the most modern learning facilities in the UK. Algeco UK has completed its Northampton School project just 18 months on from winning the contract to the final pieces of equipment being put into place. This is the biggest school build ever undertaken by Algeco UK, which was secured through the MMC Framework for the Department of Education (DfE). Northampton School will eventually accommodate a total of 1,200 boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18 from across Northamptonshire. Algeco is well-known as a market-leading supplier of portable and modular buildings across the UK and Europe used in multiple sectors including the Ministry of Justice, schools, hospitals and office locations. The buildings at the new Northampton School were created utilising modern methods of construction in a quality-controlled offsite environment, ensuring the highest standards of workmanship and Health and Safety. Algeco developed the project through a two-phase approach following the receipt of the DfE’s feasibility developing the design in collaboration with the school and all stakeholders, achieving planning permission prior to manufacturing utilising an MMC approach, where the school is manufactured in modules and taken to site following completion. This method means the build was completed in just 18 months, rather than typically three years for a traditionally built structure. Algeco experts started laying the foundations in January 2023. A total of 210 modules were created at the company’s factory in Carnaby and transported by road to the Northampton site. The company also provided temporary decant classrooms while the main building was being constructed as well as all the construction site welfare and associated services. The school is a £28 million state-school project run by the Northampton School for Boys (NSB) Academy Trust. The school will be a state-of-the-art facility for the teaching of secondary school pupils with dedicated sports, drama, science, music rooms and much more. The new school will be open for pupil intake for the first time on Thursday September 4th with Year 8 students the first to start lessons. The following day welcomes Year 7. All pupils will be straight into their regular school schedules thereafter. Phil Pavey, Managing Director at Algeco Offsite Solutions (OSS), said: “This is one of the most exciting projects Algeco UK has worked on – planning and constructing a series of buildings to ensure the students of Northampton have the best possible education has been very motivational for all of us. “We sincerely hope the new Northampton School is a place where teachers and students alike will find a welcoming and inspirational environment, as well as being a fantastic focal point in the community.” Gary Greenhoff, Algeco Offsite Solutions (OSS) Project Manager, said: “Using modular construction means this facility is ready much faster than traditional methods, and the flexibility it offers means the school has everything it could want and much more.” He added: “I’m immensely proud of the school, everyone has worked very hard to make this an amazing facility for the people of Northamptonshire. There have been a few challenges along the way, including the heavy rain this springtime, but we overcame them all and are ready to hand the school over to the teachers and pupils ready for term-time in September.” Algeco UK wanted to thank all the 137 staff and contractors involved in the project over the 18-month build. In particular, the company wanted to credit the following: Sean Brind, Contract Manager; Abbass Mahmood, Senior Quantity Surveyor; Gary Greenhoff, Project Manager; Alison Orme, Design Manager; Ashley James, Head of Design; Mike Swain, Site Manager; and Harrison Parkin, Assistant Site Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lead contractor Bouygues UK has been appointed by the Department for Education to build Stanmore College, a further education college in Harrow, under the CF21 Framework. The college will be funded by the DfE’s Further Education Improvement Programme. Bouygues UK will be reconfiguring the college’s existing site by replacing four buildings with four new builds, to be completed in summer 2027 with work starting imminently. Education is a key sector for Bouygues UK and the contractor has a strong track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable and inspiring places to learn. Another recent education project completed by Bouygues UK in London is Leigh Academy in Blackheath that achieved a BREEAM score of ‘Excellent’ giving it the sustainability level equivalent to the top 10% of the UK’s non-domestic buildings, demonstrating the contractor’s dedication to sustainable construction. Bouygues UK will be using its education building standardised ‘kit of parts’ approach for the build, incorporating net zero principles. This will help ensure flexibility, affordability, sustainability, reduced ongoing maintenance and surety of price and programme. As construction of the college commences, the contractor will be inducting its first cohort of T Level students into Design Surveying and Planning internships, developed in collaboration with the social enterprise, Class Of Your Own, renowned for its award-winning “Design Engineer Construct!” learning programme which will place future professionals at the heart of its cutting-edge projects. Phillippa Prongué, MD for London and the South East at Bouygues UK said, “We are thrilled to have been chosen for this project, as the education sector is a significant focus area for us, and excited to welcome our T Level interns who will be able to gain an unparalleled understanding of contractor work. Our construction methods for schools have evolved in line with the DfE’s output specification and we are looking forward to using our kit-of-parts approach and incorporating more off-site construction. We know that the construction of high-quality education buildings plays a key role in producing better student outcomes.” Stanmore College Principal, Annette Cast said. “We are committed to delivering education with immeasurable benefits for our students, both now and for future generations. We are excited to offer them modern, sustainable, state-of-the-art facilities in brand-new buildings that will provide an enhanced learning environment. These new spaces will significantly enrich the student experience, leading to better educational outcomes and equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their future careers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, has started work building a new £12 million eagerly anticipated college campus in Skegness. Once complete in 2025, Skegness Learning Campus will offer a diverse range of vocational education courses from the Wainfleet Road site that are tailored to meet the needs of Skegness and its surrounding communities. The campus is supported by a £14 million government-funded Connected Coast Town Deal and is poised to make a significant impact by providing accessible education opportunities in critical areas such as construction, engineering, hospitality, tourism, and digital skills training. This latest contract win for Hobson & Porter follows the successful completion of a £5.5m technical, engineering and construction facility at York College, which was delivered on time and within budget. Joe Booth from Hobson & Porter said: “The Skegness Learning Campus adds to our growing portfolio of further education projects in recent years, on the back of us delivering successful large-scale projects for both York College and Bishop Burton College at its campuses in both Lincoln and Beverley. “This latest contract win also builds on our expertise in the education sector and as well as building and refurbishing schools and colleges across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, we’re using these opportunities to create a sustainable workforce for the construction industry by educating, developing and upskilling the next generation through our Foundations scheme. “The initiative, which was born after we completed work on a construction hub at Bishop Burton College, helps to enrich career opportunities in the industry, and whilst working on that project and the one at York College, we were able to give students live on-site experience, which is as essential part of their T Level qualifications. We hope to follow a similar model during the construction programme at Skegness Learning Campus.” Adrian Clarke, Group Vice Principal for Corporate Services at the TEC Partnership, stated: “I am thrilled that construction is underway on our new Skegness Learning Campus. It is exciting to witness our designs and plans come to fruition. The new learning campus will introduce a broad curriculum and fresh opportunities for the community of Skegness.” Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast, echoed this sentiment, and said: “The new, state of the art Skegness learning campus is set to be an economic game changer for the area. Not only is it our flagship Town Deal project in Skegness, it is also the single largest Towns Fund project in Lincolnshire. “The new campus is also part of the Skegness Gateway and will be a catalyst for change in the area, providing an inspirational space where local people can get the skills, knowledge, and training they need to access the employment opportunities they want. Consultation is also being carried out with local employers and learning providers to ensure the training offered meets the needs of the local economy now and in the future. “It is great to see work now underway on this fantastic facility and I forward to seeing the difference the campus will make within the community and for local people in the years to come.” The Skegness TEC campus will be located at the heart of the Skegness Gateway initiative, which includes 1,000 new homes, approximately 41,000 sq m of commercial premises, tourist accommodation, a crematorium, a primary school, a local retail centre with shops, pubs, and eateries, as well as 4,000 sq m of storage facilities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HID® Mobile Access® Offers Students and Staff the Ability to Use Their Smartphones to Gain Touchless Entry Into Buildings HID, the worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, announces today that the University of Dundee is updating its city campus estate implementing HID® Mobile Access® and signature HID Signo™ readers throughout its buildings to guarantee it has a modern, secure and reliable access control system to allow staff and students to enter using both RFID cards and smartphones. The project will involve buying and installing new mobile-ready HID Signo readers at around 40 buildings – a staged rollout being completed over a two-year period by specialist security installer, Scottish Communications Group. In addition, the University has purchased 10,000 HID Mobile Access licenses to offer its academic community the option to use their Apple and Android smart phones for touchless entry into its facilities. “We wanted a modern system which is safe, secure and easy for everyone to use,” says Colin Stebbing, the University’s Head of Precinct Services. “Complying with forthcoming legislation was also another important project requirement. With bills like Martyn’s Law soon to be enacted, ensuring the University is ready for this was important given that we have a duty to protect to ensure everyone is safe. The HID solution enables us to not only lock down buildings immediately, but it has built-in functionality which we can leverage over time, meaning we’ve invested in ‘future proof’ equipment which will last us long term.” The University of Dundee is a public research university in Scotland renowned for its academic excellence in dentistry, medicine, science and engineering and life sciences. Based in the heart of the city, it is home to over 16,000 students, 3,300 staff and is ranked 33rd in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024. A thriving institution with ambitious development plans, it is currently building a new £40 million facility called the Innovation Hub. This will offer commercial organizations flexible laboratory, meeting and office space and, over the next 10 years, it is anticipated the Hub will help create up to 280 new high-quality jobs. The new HID Signo readers integrate with the University’s existing AEOS access control software from Nedap. Supporting both native Bluetooth® and Near Field Communication (NFC) connectivity, they allow touchless smartphone entry and are fast to install as the wiring uses common protocols like OSDP [Open Supervised Device Protocol] and Wiegand. Furthermore, existing access cards already in circulation can be used with the new HID Signo readers thereby speeding up the rollout. Historically, the University used to print and issue plastic RFID cards so staff and students could access buildings. This process was laborious and time-consuming, especially during peak times like Freshers Week, when some 2,500 – 3,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students enroll. Issuing cards was logistically complex due to the high demand and the need for thorough identity checks, which could take up to 10 minutes per card. Shifting to HID Mobile Access – which utilizes cloud-based HID Origo management software integrating with the AEOS system – completely changes this and delivers wireless credentialling. This significantly simplifies all the licensing, allocation of credentials, setting of building access rights, validating or revoking of IDs – all of which is now done virtually and remotely. “Once registered by Student Services in AEOS, a student simply gets an email to their phone, they tap on a link, the app automatically uploads and a mobile credential is granted,” says Paul Brady, HID’s End User Business Manager for Physical Access Control Solutions. “Not only does this improve the overall student experience because it’s substantially quicker and more efficient, but it’s far more sustainable as you’re not issuing PVC cards anymore.” While the strategy and aspiration are for the university population to shift wholesale to mobile access, its approach today is to operate a dual system. “We recognize that some visitors and staff still want to use a physical pass and not all employees have a university issued mobile credential,” explains Stebbing. “HID Signo readers allow us to run both credential types in tandem, with HID Mobile Access giving us the option to scale up to include digital wallets from Apple and Google, as well as integrate with digital campus cards should we decide to go down this route in the future.” Given RFID cards are still required today, the University of Dundee utilizes its reliable FARGO DTC4500e printers to back up this transition to digital transformation. The FARGO range of ID card printers integrate easily with the AEOS software so that Student Services staff can easily issue physical IDs themselves. “HID Signo readers are going in now across the main buildings including the new Innovation Hub site,” says Stuart Leslie, Scottish Communications Group’s director. “HID’s reputation is built on reliability and security with its solutionssupporting the latest encryption, communications and authentication standards. Their devices have an open architecture so they’re easy to install and integrate which reduces the cost for the university and makes time to value that much quicker.” In addition, Scottish Communication Group is supplying Motorola MOTORTRBO Ion smart radios to the University’s security staff. The radios will be configured to run HID Mobile Access so they can open doors fitted with the new HID Signo readers. Because these smart radios also link to the University’s CCTV, alarm systems and CriticalArc Safezone® App, security staff need carry only a single device to fulfill their duties. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of the new Aseptic Pharmacy and Sterile Service Department at University Hospital Southampton has hit a significant milestone. A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held to celebrate the building reaching its highest point, marking a key step forward as the project moves closer to its scheduled opening in Spring 2025. Situated on plot 2 of the Adanac Health and Innovation Campus in Southampton, the new multi-use facility, which has been funded by investment from MacQuarie Group, will comprise an Aseptic Pharmacy, Sterile Services Department (SSD), and flexible expansion space. The Aseptic Pharmacy will act as an MHRA-licensed pharmacy, with drugs and medicines manufactured for UHS and other NHS providers in the region. Meanwhile, the SSD will sterilise surgical tools and equipment for use by UHS; these services will be delivered at the new location by current provider IHSS. UHS is one of the largest acute teaching trusts in England and experiences a very high demand on its geographically constrained site. By working with developer Prime plc, through the Southampton Commercial Estates Development Partnership (CEDP), the trust has been able to unlock many complex estate challenges. These new facilities will be the latest in a series of developments designed to create more space for the trust to expand. Previous development on the hospital site has produced a new entrance, retail space and staff car park. The partners then worked together to create Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, providing additional expansion space with good proximity to the hospital and easy access to the motorway network. Ewan Forsyth, Development Director at Prime: “Prime is proud to play a pivotal role in the ongoing transformation of University Hospital Southampton. The development of the new Sterile Services Department and aseptic pharmacy not only showcases our commitment to innovative, high-quality healthcare infrastructure but also aligns with the Trust’s sustainability goals. By integrating advanced sterilisation and pharmaceutical preparation facilities under one roof, we have created a state-of-the-art environment that will enhance the hospital’s capabilities and improve patient care. This project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through strategic partnerships and innovative thinking, supporting UHS in its mission to provide exceptional healthcare services now and in the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
