Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, has opened a science building designed to help researchers address some of the world’s most pressing health concerns. Rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer and women’s health issues are just some of the medical conditions being tackled by more than 500 scientists at the £110m facility at Edinburgh BioQuarter. The new building – known as the Institute for Regenerative Repair (IRR) South – will be home to flagship centres carrying out research in inflammation, reproductive health and regenerative medicine, as well as a dedicated pandemic science hub. Experts at the Institute believe that close proximity to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh hospital will allow for better shared learning between molecular and cell scientists and clinical researchers. At the opening event, the Chancellor met with students and staff, including Centre for Reproductive Health scientists who gave an overview of their inspiring work on fertility preservation after cancer, and efforts to tackle heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain caused by endometriosis.  Teams from the Centre for Inflammation Research outlined their research on shared biological processes behind conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic lung disease. The Chancellor and guests at the event also heard from Centre for Regenerative Medicine scientists who showcased their key work on stem cells and how the body repairs cell damage from ageing and injury. The Princess Royal toured the IRR’s extensive open plan laboratories, including the innovative Chemistry Hub, designed to speed-up ‘chemistry to medicine’ research that translates laboratory findings to drug treatments more quickly. The event highlighted the Institute’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and its important work with the local community, including a long-standing partnership with Castlebrae Community High School. Castlebrae students took the opportunity to show a one-off wooden table that was designed and crafted by pupils, and takes pride of place in the new building’s boardroom. The Chancellor closed the event by unveiling a dedicated plaque to commemorate the building’s opening. Funding for IRR South – which was designed by global integrated design firm Stantec and built over six years by Balfour Beatty – came from the Medical Research Council, UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) and substantial philanthropy from foundations, companies and private donors. Professor Stuart Forbes, Director of the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair said, “IRR South is designed to allow modern science to flourish by fostering collaboration across different disciplines, and providing space for cutting edge research technologies. This new facility will encourage joined-up working and help scientists develop treatments to benefit health more rapidly.” Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh said: “Many people – colleagues past and present across the University plus external supporters including generous philanthropists – have made the Institute for Regeneration and Repair possible.  I very much look forward to seeing the advances in medicine and impact that the students and staff in the Institute will make.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A new five-storey multi-occupancy life sciences facility at Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) has recently completed with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed as first tenant. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for campus developer, Prologis UK, 1000 Discovery Drive forms part of a world-class, expanding life sciences and biotech ecosystem at Cambridge Biomedical Campus which brings together clinical, academic and commercial excellence. The new speculatively developed building brings 103,000 sq ft of new state-of-the-art laboratory, office and amenity space to Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will occupy 23,000 sq ft space at 1000 Discovery Drive, housing an ultra-modern histopathology unit which will provide diagnostic pathology services, supporting clinical trials and biotechnological research into a range of diseases. A series of carefully curated internal and external communal spaces enhanced by the Cambridge Biomedical Campus’s widely praised on-going public art strategy will add valuable amenity for new and existing occupiers across the wider campus. With a new café and collaborative break-out spaces to enhance occupier and visitor experience, landscaped green spaces to encourage biodiversity, and cycling and associated facilities to support green commuting. To align with Cambridge Biomedical Campus’s 2050 Vision, 1000 Discovery Drive has a BREEAM ‘Excellent” rating and is carefully designed to provide future flexibility in how the building can be occupied and operated. Jason Lebidineuse, Director at Scott Brownrigg said: “We have celebrated the entrance to the building with a two storey cut-out supported by a striking red abstract structural tree. This opening of the façade is symbolic of the collaboration not just between building tenants but with the wider globally significant cluster of clinical healthcare and life science R&D companies at CBC. This project has been a delight to work on with a fantastic open collaboration between, Prologis, the design team and contractor.” Felicity Hayward, Project Director at Scott Brownrigg said: “1000DD has been designed as a flexible, speculative laboratory building. The concept of flexibility is articulated in the elevations, allowing the tenants to ‘plug and play’ and utilise spaces on the floorplate for a wide spectrum of life science uses.” Andrew Blevins, Head of Life Sciences at Prologis UK, said: “1000 Discovery Drive represents the best of everything that the Cambridge Biomedical Campus has to offer, providing an opportunity for clinical, academic and commercial excellence to sit side-by-side, under one roof.”

Works have officially started to construct the £7 million Garden Village Primary School in Amington, Tamworth which will provide much-needed new teaching provision for the local area. Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is delivering the construction on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and alongside Entrust as the Project Manager and concept Architects. Procured through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework, the school will be managed by Fiertè Multi Academy Trust. Due to open its doors to its first cohort of pupils in September 2024, the new two-storey 1FE school located on Eagle Drive in Amington will provide 210 primary and 26 nursery places to meet the demand for residents in the nearby housing developments. The 17,0000 sq. ft. facility will comprise nine classrooms, staff offices, an indoor school hall and catering spaces, alongside an outdoor play area to enable pupils to take part in a number of sporting activities. The energy efficient design will ensure a good amount of daylight and natural ventilation to the building and to ensure the scheme adjusts to temperature changes, high levels of insulation and thermal mass will be applied to walls and ceilings. The structural steel frame is now complete and a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of works took place at the grounds on Thursday 30th November. The event was attended by Fiertè Multi-Academy Trust, G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council and Entrust representatives. G F Tomlinson has vast experience of working within the education sector, providing high quality school provision across the region. This will be the ninth school that the contractor has delivered for Staffordshire County Council alongside Entrust, the latest of which was Beaconfields Primary School, which commenced in October. Close liaison has been established with the local community, keeping neighbours informed of progress and planned activities, through regular newsletters and a public consultation with Fiertè Multi Academy Trust. Site tours will be provided to the trust and local schools to encourage engagement with the project. Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust and it is a privilege to build on this as we commence our ninth scheme working together. “This school will provide modern teaching and recreational spaces that are much needed for the Amington area, improving the lives of residents in the neighbouring new housing developments, who require primary and nursery places.” Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “Staffordshire is a growing county and to meet that demand, we are committed to either upgrading facilities, or building new schools such as this, so communities have first class facilities on their doorstep. “Learning is so much easier if it happens in a well-lit, well-designed school that meets the needs of children and staff and I look forward to seeing pupils take their places here in September.” Fiertè Multi-Academy Trust representative, said: “It is great to be working in partnership with G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire Country Council, Entrust and the Department for Education prior to the opening of Garden Village Primary Academy, the second free school we have been privileged to be selected to run in the Tamworth area. “Our vision for the school is to work in close collaboration with parents, the local and wider community to soar to excellence. We have absolute confidence that we will have an amazing building for children to learn in and a site that they will delight in exploring. We very much look forward to welcoming our first nursery and Reception cohorts joining us in September 2024.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The final part of almost £100 million-worth of development projects is now open to the University of Plymouth’s students, staff and visitors. Weighing in at £63 million, the revamped and dramatically extended Babbage Building is now home to the engineers and designers of tomorrow. And the next phase of the University’s Campus Masterplan is now in progress, with two further projects on track to be delivered by 2025. Vice Chancellor, Professor Judith Petts CBE says: “I am immensely proud that – at a time when many universities in the UK and internationally face significant fiscal difficulties – the University of Plymouth remains in robust financial health and continues to invest in sustainably improving its estate. “Babbage is yet another amazing building that will deliver our future success, by supporting engineering and design students as well as our leading research. It not only enhances our city centre campus, delivers a better student experience and delivers on our ambitions to reduce our University’s impact on the environment, but also continues our efforts to improve Plymouth’s built environment.” Babbage first opened to students of the future at the University’s open event on Saturday 18 November, ahead of welcoming current students plus staff two days later. Formal opening events are being planned for 2024, but the Vice Chancellor and the University’s Director of Estates and Facilities, Trevor Wills met with colleagues from BAM construction for a celebratory key handover this week (Wednesday 6 December 2024). Trevor says: “Babbage has been a challenging project to deliver – especially alongside InterCity Place. I wouldn’t recommend running two major redevelopment projects concurrently, but the pay-off is more than worth it and I have been lucky to work with amazing teams, both in-house at the University and through our contractors. “This building is a very attractive improvement to our urban campus and the interior has a marvellous sense of scale. “Now that Babbage is open for business, there’s a deep personal joy in seeing people using the space and finding something new every time I go in there, plus the feedback from students and colleagues is immensely positive.” While the main construction works are complete, specialist facilities and laboratories are still coming on stream, and a small team from BAM remains on site for some finishing touches. BAM’s regional director Tim Chell says: “We are delighted to be handing over the hugely impressive Babbage Building. It’s great to see that efforts of the whole team at BAM and the University of Plymouth have been rewarded, and that this facility will enhance the experience of all who use it. Well done to all involved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction works for a new two-storey teaching block at Alderbrook School in Solihull has been successfully completed by Midlands-contractor, G F Tomlinson. Delivered on behalf of Solihull Council, the works have provided the school with an additional seven classrooms, ancillary spaces, toilets, a reception area, school bus parking, cycling storage and increased car parking for staff and visitors. A new security access and egress gate to the school grounds was also incorporated. Built using a structural steel frame system and blockwork, the building features a flat roof, with rendered walls and full height curtain walling to three of the elevations.   As part of the scheme, G F Tomlinson also planted a number of trees and wildflowers on the school grounds – with the help of Alderbrook School pupils – enhancing the existing ecology of the site and attracting insects and animals to thrive within the grounds. G F Tomlinson committed to providing social value-added initiatives throughout the scheme and pledged to deliver 27% ‘social value added’ against the project. The contractor, achieved 48% added value, almost doubling their initial target, resulting in a social economic value of over £1.7 million.  During the project, G F Tomlinson sourced 92% of local labour within 40 miles of site and hosted a local Supply Chain Collaboration event to encourage local companies to get involved in the project. They recycled 95% of site waste and rescued 3.4 tonnes of materials from the waste stream collected by VCSE Community Wood Recycling. G F Tomlinson offered work experience placements on-site for Alderbrook pupils, and supported the school’s ‘Life Ready’ day, which included ‘career in construction’ workshops and mock interview sessions. The contractor also supported the local Marston Green Parish Hall by donating materials for a much-needed refurbishment of its welfare facilities alongside key supply chain partners – MGD Specialist Interior Finishes Limited and Palings Mechanical & Electrical Services Limited. Materials donated to the communal charity building included providing hygienic cladding, a toilet, urinal, handwash basin, taps, a radiator, wall fan, new light fittings, and hand dryer. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased to have completed works on the new-build teaching facility for Alderbrook School and are proud with all of the ‘social value added’ opportunities we achieved as part of this scheme. “I want to say a huge congratulations to our hardworking team for not only delivering a high-quality teaching space, but also for exceeding our social value-added target by such a significant amount. This is testament to our dedication to this project and passion for giving back to the communities in which we operate.” Tom Beveridge, Headteacher, Alderbrook School, said: “The completion of the building ready for September has been transformational for our school; students are enjoying learning in state-of-the-art classrooms and the creation of outdoor play space has markedly improved the experience for our students. We are delighted with the enhancements this project has brought to our school and are very grateful to all involved in this project.” Councillor Michael Gough, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “I am really pleased that these works have been completed at Alderbrook School, providing much improved facilities for our children for the future. It is also a great example of investing in local resources. Well done to all involved.” To find out more about Alderbrook School, please visit: www.alderbrookschool.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals