A SIGNIFICANT four-year programme to improve pupil accessibility and retention has completed in Essex, delivering upgraded facilities in line with modern teaching standards. The restoration of Brentwood County High School, undertaken by two of construction’s leading industry names, has seen the introduction of two new specialist teaching blocks, a refurbished sports hall,
Edinburgh Futures Institute has officially opened its doors to the public in the transformed and revitalised Old Royal Infirmary building. The much-loved city landmark will officially open to the public on Monday 3rd June following an extensive seven-year, multi-million-pound restoration. Built in 1879, the Old Royal Infirmary housed the city’s
New school for Cornwall to be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Reds10, the vertically integrated off-site construction specialist, has been given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery in West Carclaze, Cornwall. The new school and nursery has been designed to be net-zero
Durham University has selected UPP to be the Preferred Bidder to develop, in a partnership, a detailed scheme proposition for the refurbishment of the College of St Hild and St Bede on its historic Riverside location and the development of new college accommodation at the Leazes Road site. UPP are
Work has continued behind the scenes as University of Cumbria prepares to start building its new campus at The Citadels site in Carlisle city centre. The University has obtained possession of various properties on English Street and Victoria Viaduct, with plans to vacate the remaining occupied properties on English Street
The University of East London (UEL) has reduced its carbon emissions by 10 per cent from its 2020/21 baseline to 2022/23 in its new net zero strategy, putting the organisation on track to achieve its 2030 net-zero target. UEL partnered with technology company Siemens to develop the strategy, which included
A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library. Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the
Bradford College has teamed up with Sewell Construction for the creation of its new multi-million-pound T Level facilities. The work, which starts in May, will involve the remodelling of a number of areas within the College’s David Hockney Building to create a high-quality training environment, enabling students to learn skills
Contractor Clegg Construction has completed an exciting £5.9m renovation scheme to transform Maltby Grammar School near Rotherham into a community resource and education centre. During the course of the project, Clegg invested more than £3m into the local economy by using local labour and materials wherever possible. The company’s commitment
Delancey has put forward plans to transform a brownfield site in Islington into a GIA science and technology building with world-class laboratory and research space. Situated in London’s growing Knowledge Quarter and Innovation District, the proposals for the site at 176-178 York Way include 130,000 sq ft of research and
A SIGNIFICANT four-year programme to improve pupil accessibility and retention has completed in Essex, delivering upgraded facilities in line with modern teaching standards. The restoration of Brentwood County High School, undertaken by two of construction’s leading industry names, has seen the introduction of two new specialist teaching blocks, a refurbished sports hall, landscaping and a multi-use games area, greatly benefitting student learning and teaching experiences. The project was carried out in phases in a live working environment, also seeing careful restoration of the school’s spectacular main building, which is considered a heritage asset under its original 1930s design. Demolition work was also undertaken of existing teaching facilities to make way for the new blocks, which focus on art and design technology, science and general teaching. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the programme, operating via formal appointment to deliver architectural services, with contractor Bowmer + Kirkland appointed through the DfE Construction Framework. Lizzy Bennett, director at Pick Everard, said: “This was a huge scope of work which ties into key objectives for the educational sector. The school had a clear vision to bring its services in line with modern standards and create something industry-leading to attract and retain students in the area. “It was a project that also had defined challenges, which our teams catered for in the initial planning and design stages. Given its long-term nature, we knew there had to be minimal interference to the teaching and the student experience. This meant splitting the required accommodation between two individual buildings, while the refurbishment of the sports hall took place early on in the project to ensure exams could continue without disruption. “Heritage was also a key consideration for the building design, with our teams developing a bespoke and sympathetic heritage colour palette in line with the school’s identity, which was then carried through all facilities across the school, creating cohesion across the campus. “We’re proud to have helped deliver this remarkable school alongside Bowmer + Kirkland, creating a standard of excellence in design for the region.” The new facilities at Brentwood include photovoltaic (PV) solutions as well as a ‘fabric-first’ approach to the school’s thermal design, delivering improvements to the building envelope. The work also forms part of Bowmer + Kirkland’s ‘configure system’ – a standardised construction approach for schools that meets the requirements of the Department for Education (DfE) and school planning systems for educational design. The system is then tailored according to the needs of each school. Under this regulatory approach, extra high glazing on staircases was ‘back designed’ into the project, in line with standards that evolved during the construction programme. The project also had to navigate circumstances brought about by the COVID pandemic, with team and client engagement taking place online for RIBA Stages 1, 2 and 3. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/
Edinburgh Futures Institute has officially opened its doors to the public in the transformed and revitalised Old Royal Infirmary building. The much-loved city landmark will officially open to the public on Monday 3rd June following an extensive seven-year, multi-million-pound restoration. Built in 1879, the Old Royal Infirmary housed the city’s main hospital until 2003 and was once described by The Illustrated London News as “the best planned hospital” in Britain. Now home to the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Futures Institute, the category-A listed building will bring together people finding innovative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. The 20,000 sqm redevelopment is now one of the largest institutes for interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation in Europe. Edinburgh Futures Institute is building on the University’s expertise across disciplines ranging from artificial intelligence to philosophy to deliver educational programmes, collaborative research projects and partnerships. The Institute brings together students, researchers, partners and civic society to focus on the responsible use of data to address global challenges including ethics of artificial intelligence, social inequality and climate change. The building, which unites modern design with restored historic architecture, will also bring benefits to the local community. Alongside new access points from Middle Meadow Walk, a new public square has been created along with a café and exhibition and performance spaces. The building’s signature wide and airy Nightingale Wards have been retained and are now reused as teaching and workspaces. Collaborative spaces are also available for external organisations and partners, with incubation areas for start-up businesses and labs for innovation and prototyping. Once opened, the Institute will also host a range of events and opportunities for members of the public and University of Edinburgh community. In August, the Institute will host the Edinburgh International Book Festival and will become a permanent home for this annual event. The Futures Institute sits within the University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It is one of six innovation hubs supported by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation programme. Through the University of Edinburgh’s participation in the City Region Deal, the Institute has received £56m in capital funding from the UK Government and more than £2m from the Scottish Government. The University worked with a project design team led by Atkins Realis, including architects Bennetts Associates and construction partner Balfour Beatty, to restore, extend, and upgrade the building. Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Interim Director of Edinburgh Futures Institute, said: “The amazing restoration of the Old Royal Infirmary has created an inspiring place for us all to collaborate. It opens up exciting opportunities to co-locate students, staff and external partners to innovate and address local and global challenges together. The Institute is a place that asks questions and strives to find solutions for the challenges of where data meets society.” Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Edinburgh, said: “So many people in Edinburgh have a connection to this historic building and we want to ensure that it fulfils the pledge set in stone above the main entrance, ‘patet omnibus’ – open to all. Edinburgh Futures Institute’s new home will allow us to connect the University community with local and global groups, organisations and industries in new and meaningful ways.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New school for Cornwall to be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Reds10, the vertically integrated off-site construction specialist, has been given the go-ahead by Cornwall Council for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery in West Carclaze, Cornwall. The new school and nursery has been designed to be net-zero in operation and will be delivered using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The 1,750m2 Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery will accommodate 210 pupils in the school and 26 places in the nursery on the site of the wider residential development at West Carclaze Garden Village. With Reds10 acting as principal contractor and architecture and interior design undertaken by Sense of Space Architects, design proposals have been developed in close association with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Kernow Learning Trust, which provides education, training and support to schools in Cornwall. Utilising Reds10’s wholly-owned MMC factory facility in East Yorkshire, 87% of the new two-storey school building will be manufactured in Driffield before being transported to West Carclaze to be assembled on site, maximising productivity, quality and control and minimising disruption. Sustainable features are embedded throughout, with air source heat pumps providing heating to the building and PV panels and windcatchers on the roof, in line with the energy strategy for the school. Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery is designed to be net-zero in operation and complies to the Department for Education (DfE)’s net-zero in operation guidance, Spec21. Sense of Space has worked with Reds10 to produce a design which will integrate with the wider West Carclaze Garden Village development using a combination of local and contemporary materials. The new school will be clad in local stone at the lower level with hard-wearing fibre cement panels and metal cladding above, and complimented by soft planting across the site, with areas of short and long grasses, native tree planting and a dedicated habitat area for study. Informal hard playground space will facilitate the link between the key outdoor play areas and the internal classroom layout. A fenced Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and grass playing field are enclosed by a soft landscape buffer around the perimeter of the site with tree planting to provide shade, shelter, and interest throughout the year. The new school will be located at the heart of the Carclaze Garden village centre with direct access from the adjoining neighbourhood facilities, supporting sustainable transport via a network of footpaths and cycleways. Groundworks for Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery begin on site in Spring 2024, with first modules arriving on site in Autumn 2024. Clare Crowle, CEO of Kernow Learning, said “We are incredibly proud of Sky and its first cohorts based at Eden. We are feeling excited at the progress towards finally arriving at our permanent site – building the future for Sky before our very eyes.” Joe Shepherd, Director & Education Sector Lead for Reds10, said “Delivering sustainable, high-quality and cost-effective new schools is an ongoing challenge for the education sector but the broadly similar requirements of school buildings in the UK make them particularly amenable to the standardisation that MMC delivers. Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery is a fantastic opportunity to illustrate the benefits of MMC and we are very pleased to get the go-ahead from Cornwall Council and the DfE.” Richard Addenbrook, Managing Director at Sense of Space, said: “We are looking forward to seeing this highly sustainable project take shape, initially in Reds10’s factory and subsequently on site in this beautiful location.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Durham University has selected UPP to be the Preferred Bidder to develop, in a partnership, a detailed scheme proposition for the refurbishment of the College of St Hild and St Bede on its historic Riverside location and the development of new college accommodation at the Leazes Road site. UPP are the leading provider of on-campus student accommodation infrastructure in the UK. One of the key drivers for this project for both Durham University and Durham City is to increase the proportion of students living in high quality Durham University owned or managed accommodation. Jeremy Cook OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience), Durham University commented “We are delighted to announce UPP as preferred bidder and look forward to working together to develop a scheme for the redevelopment of the Leazes Road site. The project will seek to rejuvenate The College of St Hild and St Bede on its iconic and beautiful site on the slope of the river Wear, providing excellent accommodation with a first-class student experience for the future. In securing preferred bidder status, UPP is working in partnership with the University to shape exciting plans and state of the art designs for accommodation at the Leazes Road site.” While this work takes place, the College of St Hild and St Bede will be located at Rushford Court – offering modern, purpose-built student accommodation, within walking distance of the city centre. Durham University highlighted some particularly important factors in their choice of UPP including: UPP will now continue to work with Durham University to refine the proposal with the scheme currently scheduled to start in 2025. Elaine Hewitt, UPP CEO said: “UPP is delighted to be working on this incredibly important project at Durham University. This scheme is about respecting, protecting and enhancing the history and heritage of Durham University for the benefit of future students. We are excited to co-create an environment that puts student experience at its heart, building on each unique college identity.” UPP is the UK’s only multi-discipline, full-service Design, Build, Fund and Operate (DBFO) company that is dedicated to the Higher Education sector. With over 25 years of experience operating in the sector and having invested over £3.5bn, UPP has a strong track record of delivering next generation campuses at scale. Find out more The College of St Hild and St Bede Refurbishment and redevelopment plans Rushford Court UPP Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has continued behind the scenes as University of Cumbria prepares to start building its new campus at The Citadels site in Carlisle city centre. The University has obtained possession of various properties on English Street and Victoria Viaduct, with plans to vacate the remaining occupied properties on English Street throughout the summer. Concurrently, the University of Cumbria and Cumberland Council persist in collaborative efforts towards land assembly, nearing completion of agreements for the transfer of council-owned land and property crucial to the project. Further surveys and ground investigations have also been completed, in order to finalise the designs, ahead of moving into the construction phase. A Contract Notice has now been issued inviting expressions of interest in tendering for the building contract for the next stage of the project. University of Cumbria Chief Operating Officer, Mark Swindlehurst said: “We have a fantastic design ready to go and will now be going through a tender process to select a new contractor with a view to building work starting on site in early 2025. It’s an exciting time for the university, the wider city and region, as we move towards realising our vision and the next phase of delivery for this transformational project. “I’d like to thank SRM for all their work over the last two years getting us to this point and I know that they will be supporting us from the side-lines.” The Carlisle Citadels campus project has been developed by the University of Cumbria and Cumberland Council (previously Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council) with Cumbria LEP as a key partner. The project’s funding is sourced from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) via the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, along with contributions from the University of Cumbria. Additionally, funds for the Carlisle Business Exchange Centre are allocated from the Carlisle Town Deal Fund. SRM, in collaboration with the university since March 2022, has secured tenders for two significant infrastructure projects, prompting their decision to prioritise these endeavours. Grant Findlay, Executive Managing Director of Buildings, Sir Robert McAlpine, stated: “We will watch with pride as The Citadels campus starts to take shape and will continue to support the project through our supply chain. This is an exciting project for whoever takes over the reins and we look forward to seeing the finished campus.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of East London (UEL) has reduced its carbon emissions by 10 per cent from its 2020/21 baseline to 2022/23 in its new net zero strategy, putting the organisation on track to achieve its 2030 net-zero target. UEL partnered with technology company Siemens to develop the strategy, which included a roadmap to reduce carbon emissions across the university’s campuses in the London Docklands and Stratford, which are home to 25,000 students. The first major step towards the reduction of energy consumption on campus was through the installation of LED lighting in all buildings and upgrades to all building management system controllers. As part of the second phase, Siemens is installing technologies across the University’s campuses which will help it to decarbonise its energy consumption. This includes the installation of approximately 2MW of solar photovoltaics (PV), which is estimated to generate 1.2 GWh of zero carbon electricity a year, and the installation of 27 electric charging points at the University’s Docklands Campus, which will go live in the next month. UEL estimates that 90 per cent of this zero carbon energy will be consumed across the University’s campuses, with the remainder exported to the National Grid. Siemens will also support UEL in creating a ‘Living Lab’ to embed sustainability across the University’s course curriculums and provide real-time data allowing students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a green economy. Simon Burgess, Head of Solutions, Energy Performance Services, at Siemens in the UK and Ireland, said: “Our partnership with UEL will support the University in meeting its net zero targets, providing a structured roadmap to cut carbon emissions across both campuses. “We’ve already made significant progress over the last 12 months and the next phase will focus on installing more new renewable energy assets on-site to support sustainable generation. “True partnership and collaboration are key to this success, and that goes beyond decarbonisation. Achieving a net zero economy also depends on developing the right talent for the future, and we’re making the data from our work available to students to inform their studies and equip them with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in the green economy.” Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice Chancellor and President, University of East London, added: “Our long-term partnership with Siemens is central to our commitment to becoming a national decarbonisation leader, and providing a global blueprint for urban sustainability. We have already delivered significant carbon reduction savings and reduced both our emissions and energy consumption more than any other modern university in London, thanks to state-of-the-art energy generation technology. “And, importantly, our ‘Living Lab’ will provide our students, researchers and local businesses an inclusive place to test, research and commercialise green technology in a real-world environment, with access to the latest developments in smart technology to empower our students to become sustainability leaders of the future.” Siemens will be showcasing how technology can accelerate organisations’ decarbonisation journeys at its free-to-attend Transform event on 17th and 18th of July. To register click: https://siemens.co.uk/transform Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library. Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the project with WM Saunders, the project’s lead designers. The Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library, which officially opened in 1960 and 1973, respectively, are currently connected to a gas-fired district heating system commissioned in 1954 to heat the campus. The buildings are to be removed from the network as part of the university’s decarbonisation strategy, and an alternative, sustainable heating and cooling system will be introduced. Work on-site is expected to begin in July 2024 and will include building the water source heat pump infrastructure on campus. Once complete, the new infrastructure is estimated to save around 500 tonnes of CO₂ per annum, according to engineers at Silcock Leedham Group. This is the equivalent of 250 return flights from London to New York or enough CO₂ to fill 500 hot air balloons. Silcock Leedham Group Associate Sean Kitchingman said: “Finding a substantive viable alternative to the current heating system that meets the university’s carbon management plan was a challenge. These are big buildings that were built to older building construction standards and regulations when energy preservation and reducing carbon emissions were not a priority – we needed to find a system that offered sufficient low-carbon heat to maintain internal building temperatures required for learning and comfort and to maximise energy efficiency at the same time. A conversation between the Silcock Leedham Group team and Carbon Zero Consulting led to the mixed open loop water source heat pump energy centre and air source heat pump type solution that the university has opted to install. “To make this possible, the systems will use the abundant groundwater and atmospheric air renewable energy sources to supply the heat pump-based systems. The groundwater will be sourced from the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, which flows directly below the campus. Once installed, these systems will be low carbon, using the heat energy contained within the surrounding air and groundwater to provide heating and cooling to the buildings at scale.” University of Nottingham Director of Property, Space and Development Andy Nolan said: “The programme of investment in the Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library to improve energy efficiency and connect to a low-carbon energy centre is a key part of the university’s decarbonisation plan. We’re committed to decarbonising how we heat buildings and lowering our use of natural gas – this project is a key part of that.” Alongside the specialist mechanical and electrical engineering and energy and sustainability services brought by the team at Silcock Leedham group, sister company Carbon Zero Consulting provided hydrogeology advice. Carbon Zero Consulting Associate Technical Director Dr Anna Hitchmough said: “The groundwater in the aquifer that sits beneath the university will provide a low-carbon energy source to deliver energy to the new heating system. In order to use this as a resource, an open loop ground source heat pump borehole feasibility study enabled borehole drilling and field testing to be planned. This work allowed detailed design works to establish the most efficient way to harness the energy contained within the water through correct borehole design and placement. As the project progresses, the Carbon Zero Consulting team will assist in detailed borehole testing and gaining full Environment Agency approval and licensing for the works.” Sean said: “Decarbonising these buildings came with numerous engineering, sustainability and energy challenges. The current approach makes the most of the stable and abundant renewable heat energy from the Sherwood aquifer running directly below the campus and the surrounding air. By using a number of abstraction and reinjection boreholes for the ground source heat pump system, we can gain a direct connection to this source. The installation of modern high temperature heat pumps and air source heat pumps serving the air handling units in the Hallward Library will meet the existing heating and cooling demand of the buildings.” The works are expected to take one year after beginning in July Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford College has teamed up with Sewell Construction for the creation of its new multi-million-pound T Level facilities. The work, which starts in May, will involve the remodelling of a number of areas within the College’s David Hockney Building to create a high-quality training environment, enabling students to learn skills which will help them in their future careers. The project is the result of a £3.5m Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5) investment. As well as adding new lecturing spaces for business and media students, the project will also create new hair and beauty salon facilities and refurbish the college’s existing training restaurant. Both will be open to the public and used by students to hone their new skills in real-life environments. The commercial and training salon will include a barbers, nail bar and laser room for beauty treatments, and the restaurant will incorporate a new outdoor street food cabin and dining area. Business and admin students will have refurbished classrooms, and media students will be able to use the latest technology in a new TV studio, editing and sound suites. The fast-paced construction programme will take place over the summer, allowing students to return in September to their brand-new facilities. Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College said: “We’re delighted to be working with Sewell Construction again to bring even more exceptional vocational T Level facilities to Bradford College. Their team is helping us realise our ambitious plans to create the best facilities to help turn our students’ passions into successful professions. “Sewell Construction hasn’t just helped us to create better a better campus for our students, but they’re also getting involved in our curriculum, supporting our construction students with masterclasses, work placements and industry insight days. Together, we can help young people achieve their potential, and really change lives.” Work on the new college facilities is expected to begin at the end of May, after the company were appointed through the Procure Partnerships Framework. Sewell Construction and sister company I&G have delivered in excess of £40m worth of projects alongside Procure Partnerships, with the framework offering public sector clients a dynamic and compliant route to market using mini-competition and direct award functions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction has completed an exciting £5.9m renovation scheme to transform Maltby Grammar School near Rotherham into a community resource and education centre. During the course of the project, Clegg invested more than £3m into the local economy by using local labour and materials wherever possible. The company’s commitment to South Yorkshire provided local employment opportunities for those living in the area which also enabled reduced travel-to-work times and distances – helping the environment too. Nine former Maltby Grammar School students, as well as a number of people from the Maltby area, were part of the workforce. Pre-construction director at Clegg Construction Ross Crowcroft said: “We are delighted to have handed over the repurposed and renovated Maltby Grammar School to Maltby Learning Trust. “The building has had a distinguished past and now has a bright future as a superb community resource, providing local services and learning facilities. “Clegg Construction takes pride in supporting local communities wherever we work, which has been aptly demonstrated by our commitment to the local economy in the Maltby and South Yorkshire area and the people who live there. “We wish Maltby Learning Trust all the best as Maltby Grammar School once again comes to life to provide facilities for the local community.” During the course of the renovation, Clegg worked with clock repair and dial restoration specialists, Smith of Derby Ltd, to repair the iconic clock tower at Maltby Grammar School – getting it working again for the first time in ten years. The renovated Maltby Grammar School will accommodate local services, support wellbeing, employment and enterprise, and provide substantial learning opportunities. The building will also extend Maltby Learning Trust’s post-16 specialist facilities and create an incubator space for training, apprenticeships and start-up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Maltby Learning Trust CEO, David Sutton, said: “We are thrilled with the work that Clegg Construction has done to renovate and refurbish the former Maltby Grammar School Building. The Trust will now be working to fit out the interior of the multi-purpose building to make it suitable for our sixth form, business, and community audiences. “This project will make a huge difference to the area by offering a space for people to learn, reskill, work, and thrive. We are looking forward to opening the building later in the year with a series of events.” Built in the early 1930s, the school closed in 2012 and had fallen into a state of disrepair after being mothballed. The redevelopment project was part of a winning bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund secured by Rotherham Council, which focused on boosting the leisure and hospitality sectors in the area. The Levelling Up Fund provided £4.5m towards the project. During the renovation, Clegg supported careers events at Maltby Academy, sponsored Maltby Learning Trust’s 2023 annual staff conference and awards, and also delivered 212.5kg of food, nappies and other donated items to Maltby Foodbank for distribution to local families as part of its commitment to the area. Other members of the team involved in the scheme included Self Architects, engineer GCA Ltd and employer’s agent and project manager Cube. Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Delancey has put forward plans to transform a brownfield site in Islington into a GIA science and technology building with world-class laboratory and research space. Situated in London’s growing Knowledge Quarter and Innovation District, the proposals for the site at 176-178 York Way include 130,000 sq ft of research and laboratory space. The scheme features highly sustainable design features and also includes 13,000 sq. ft of affordable workspace, a mixed-use flexible community and events space, flexible makers’ space, and public realm enhancements. Designed by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the building’s design responds to a site with challenging limitations, with an innovative design solution – there are three Network Rail tunnels and two Piccadilly Line tunnels running as close as 4.5 metres below the surface. Arup and KPF developed a structural strategy that could accommodate the site complexity. Since acquiring an interest in the site in Q2 2022, Delancey has subsequently acquired adjoining land from Islington Council, allowing the development to come forward. The building’s design ensures that it can adapt to changing market demand and accommodate a range of occupiers, with options to alter the proportion of laboratory and office space over time so the building is fit for the future. Passive and active strategies have been taken to reduce the whole life carbon. These include an all-electric MEP strategy, roof mounted solar PV, and optimised external shading to reduce operational energy, and careful material selection and structural efficiencies to reduce embodied carbon. The development is targeting Nabers 4.5+ Stars. Nathan Watt, Development Director at Delancey said: “At Delancey, we’ve worked on some of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and we have a track-record of delivering on complex and constrained sites, building exceptional assets on behalf of client funds. “Our plans for York Way will be no different – this is an exciting opportunity to realise a new hub for science and innovation in one of the most established life science and technology markets in the world. This is only the start of our journey, and we look forward to continuing our work with residents and Islington Council to bring these plans to fruition.” If approved, Delancey expects to start on site next year with construction completed in 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
