Construction work has started on a new pioneering joint education campus, to be located in the Fairwater area of Cardiff. The £110 million project is the largest in scale and investment, of Cardiff’s education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The
An award-winning construction company has been appointed to deliver a £31million building project at a school which was founded more than 157 years before the Great Fire of London in 1666. St Paul’s School, which is located on a 45-acre site adjacent to the River Thames in Barnes, West London,
DPP has submitted plans to build a new North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) in Newcastle. DPP put forward the proposals on behalf of Northumbria University. The proposals are for the construction of a five to seven storey building, including partial re-use of the existing structure, to create
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been appointed by Hub South East to deliver two new primary schools, valued at £43 million, in East Lothian, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the two new primary schools, located in Craighall and Blindwells, which will
Construction of the University of Huddersfield’s new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) has celebrated a key milestone with a topping out ceremony held at the Daphne Steele Building. This first building on the Southgate site, close to the main university campus, is named after the UK’s first black matron. Daphne
The University of South Wales has selected BAM to develop a new academic building at the Treforest Campus in Pontypridd. The proposed new academic building will provide teaching, research, and support space for Computing, Engineering, and Technology. BAM will help to develop the detailed designs for the building which is
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
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
Clegg Construction started work to develop a £13.5 million Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College. The company has been appointed by the Inspire Education Group for the design and build of the three-storey reinforced concrete frame green technology centre, which is being constructed at the main college campus, off
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
Construction work has started on a new pioneering joint education campus, to be located in the Fairwater area of Cardiff. The £110 million project is the largest in scale and investment, of Cardiff’s education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The development will include the construction of three new build schools for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School, all situated on a single site. The ground was cut at the site by Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford, Cardiff Council’s Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry. They were joined by Head of School at Cantonian High School, Geraint Jones and Chair of Governors Barbara Connell together with Executive Headteacher, Wayne Murphy and Chair of Governors Bianca Rees from the Western Learning Federation, of which Riverbank School and Woodlands High School are both a part of. Also in attendance were representatives from HLM Architects and ISG the contractors chosen to undertake the detailed design and build for the scheme. The development will be Net Zero Carbon in line with Welsh Government standards and will set the standard for future Cardiff school projects. Each of the three schools will be highly energy efficient buildings that are powered from renewable energy sources, enabling Cardiff to deliver on its One Planet Strategy, which outlines the city’s ambition to mitigate climate change. In March 2023, Cardiff Council announced that ISG was selected as the preferred bidder for the design and build of the new joint education campus, to be located in the Fairwater area of the city. ISG has now undertaken the detailed design process for the scheme and delivered the temporary accommodation associated with the works, ahead of the build. It will now build the remainder of the Net Zero Carbon campus, which will target significant reduction in operational and embodied carbon. This means the three schools will be highly energy efficient buildings that are powered from renewable energy sources, enabling Cardiff to deliver on its One Planet Strategy which outlines the city’s ambition to mitigate climate change. The new campus will include the replacement of the Cantonian High School buildings with new build accommodation on the same site expanding the school from six forms of entry (6FE) to eight forms of entry (8FE) with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils, the expansion of the Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for learners with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), hosted at Cantonian High School to 30 places in purpose built accommodation in the new school building, the relocation of Woodlands High School and Riverbank School to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park, with an increased capacity to 240 places for Woodlands and 112 for Riverbank in new build accommodation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An award-winning construction company has been appointed to deliver a £31million building project at a school which was founded more than 157 years before the Great Fire of London in 1666. St Paul’s School, which is located on a 45-acre site adjacent to the River Thames in Barnes, West London, has awarded Gilbert-Ash the contract to construct a new junior school along with playgrounds and associated landscaping works. The project will consist of two new buildings. Junior School West will be a three-storey building housing a teaching block and changing facilities while Junior School East will be a two-storey facility comprising a teaching block and double height hall. The Junior School West building forms the central ‘heart’ space of the school. It will provide generous multi-functional exhibition space, surrounded by teaching spaces to encourage high levels of social interaction between pupils and staff. The Junior School East building will be linked to the West building by a covered external play space named ‘The Barn’. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company is delighted to be taking on such a prestigious project and to be teaming up once again with Hawkins\Brown Architects. He said: “St Paul’s School is steeped in history and has been providing first class education for boys for hundreds of years. This project will ensure this legacy continues in Barnes for generations to come. “Gilbert-Ash has a growing reputation for delivering excellent projects in the education sector, with many of these in partnership with the team at Hawkins\Brown. “Together we have delivered stand-out projects at both City of London Freemen’s School, Central Foundation Boys’ School and The Bartlett School of Architecture. “We are looking forward to once again working in collaboration with Hawkins\Brown, St Paul’s School and of course the other teams on this exciting project.” Targeting a BREEAM rating of excellent, the new buildings will be heated with air source heat pumps with photovoltaic panels on the roof which will also house a green roof system. External drainage incorporates storm and foul water diversion, porous surface overflow pipework and a rain garden. Interior fit-out plans include acoustic wall panels and slatted timber acoustic panels and lining, while flooring will vary from engineered hard wood flooring, linoleum and carpeted areas. Soft landscaping will include shrub herbaceous planting, hedge planting and grassland meadow, in addition to a rain garden. Hard landscaping will include linear concrete block paving, permeable black and coloured tarmac, permeable resin bound aggregate, play bark and a hybrid turf system, in addition to insitu rubber safety surfaces. School life will continue during the construction period, which is due to complete in autumn 2025, with pupils and staff decanted to temporary accommodation. The school was founded in 1509 by John Colet, the Dean of St Paul’s. Its governance was entrusted to the fellowship of the Mercers of London, the Premier Guild of the City of London, to act as governors of the new school. Following the great fire of London in 1666, St Paul’s School moved location four times before settling in 1968 at the present site at Barnes where it provides education for around 1,000 boys from the ages of 4-18 years old. Its initial renewal campaign was successfully achieved with the redevelopment of on-site buildings between 2011-2019. In 2014, the construction of the new drama centre and Samuel Pepys Theatre was completed, in addition to a general teaching building, dining hall and library build completed in 2020. The majority of previous work has been focused on the senior school, with current works seeking to redevelop and provide new facilities for the junior school. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DPP has submitted plans to build a new North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) in Newcastle. DPP put forward the proposals on behalf of Northumbria University. The proposals are for the construction of a five to seven storey building, including partial re-use of the existing structure, to create a new facility for world-leading education and research at Northumbria University. The NESST Centre, which will be delivered in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin, has been designed by Ryder Architecture and will replace the existing Wynne Jones building, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. The building will contain spaces for Northumbria University and its commercial partner Lockheed Martin, including satellite manufacturing and testing facilities, Harvard style lecture theatre and mission control centre, NUSTEM engagement spaces, partner offices, electrical and laser communications laboratories, open plan PhD spaces and academic offices, student hub and collaborations spaces. Research and development undertaken in NESST will reinforce the UK and regional space cluster, positioning the UK as a global leader in optical satellite communications, space weather and space-based energy. Economic assessments suggest NESST will deliver 350 net total FTE jobs and generate £264m in net total GVA over 30 years. Helen Marks, Director at DPP, said: “We have really enjoyed working with the University and Ryder Architecture to prepare the planning application submission for this exciting project for the city of Newcastle. The proposals have also benefitted from collaborative working with representatives from the City Council at the pre application stage which has greatly facilitated the process to date.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been appointed by Hub South East to deliver two new primary schools, valued at £43 million, in East Lothian, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the two new primary schools, located in Craighall and Blindwells, which will house state-of-the-art, modern teaching facilities and learning spaces for over 840 students. The primary schools are required to meet demand from ongoing and planned house building in the local area, and on completion, will support East Lothian Council’s vision to develop a modern, safe, sustainable learning estate that enhances and supports communities whilst improving the lives of families. The primary schools will be constructed using Passivhaus principles – a quality assurance process for the design and construction of low energy buildings – and will utilise high-performance windows and doors as well as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and reduce energy demand and heating bills. In addition, as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty has committed to provide at least 20 employment opportunities for local people, as well as deliver a number of employability workshops, including drone and virtual reality sessions, at nearby schools and colleges. Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional construction business in Scotland, said: “This latest contract award is testament to our expertise and experience in delivering high-quality, sustainable educational facilities in Scotland and our proven track record of giving back to local communities. “We look forward to working closely and collaboratively alongside Hub South East and East Lothian Council, to successfully deliver these new schools which will provide an exciting and inspirational learning environment for hundreds of children.” Construction is due to commence next month with completion expected in 2025. At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 200 people with 5% of its workforce made up of apprentices, graduates and trainees to support its commitment to The 5% Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of the University of Huddersfield’s new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) has celebrated a key milestone with a topping out ceremony held at the Daphne Steele Building. This first building on the Southgate site, close to the main university campus, is named after the UK’s first black matron. Daphne Steele emigrated to the UK from Guyana in the 1940s and the ceremony was attended by her son, Robert Steele, who unveiled a plaque watched by members of the Steele family. The building named in Daphne’s honour is the first of the exciting project that will help to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare for the North of England. It will bring together public-facing facilities including award-winning student-led clinics, and be a focus for entrepreneurial academic activity, serving the regional and wider health economy in strong public-private partnerships. Specialist clinical teaching facilities will provide unparalleled support for workforce development. The ceremony was attended by University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE and guests included James Wimpenny, Executive Director of construction partners BAM Construction, Anthony Langen, Managing Director of architects AHR and Russell Green, Project Manager of construction consultants Gleeds. Completion of the Daphne Steele Building, which also received a grant of £5.8m in capital funding from the Office For Students, is expected in September 2024. “The scale of the thing is massive and everything I have heard about the innovative facilities plus the benefits to students and the wider community are fantastic,” declared Robert Steele. “What would Daphne have made of all this? I think she would have been stunned, blown away and surprised that this is part of her legacy.” “We were truly honoured when we were allowed to name this new building after Daphne, so I was absolutely delighted that Robert, along with members of her family and friends, joined us for the topping out ceremony,” said Professor Cryan. “Daphne’s ethos of care and compassion allied to expertise is something that we hope everyone who studies and works in this facility will take with them. We are relishing the prospect of this building being fully operational later this year.” James Wimpenny, Executive Director – Construction, at BAM, said: “This milestone marks not only the highest point of the build but also the culmination of the collaborative efforts of the client, design, and construction teams. “At BAM we are passionate about building inspiring spaces that empower learning and enrich the University experience, and that is exactly what we are delivering here at the University’s new National Health Innovation Campus.” Plans for more construction on the site adjacent to the Daphne Steele Building are well under way, with a reserved planning application for the second NHIC building having been submitted late in 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of South Wales has selected BAM to develop a new academic building at the Treforest Campus in Pontypridd. The proposed new academic building will provide teaching, research, and support space for Computing, Engineering, and Technology. BAM will help to develop the detailed designs for the building which is scheduled to begin construction later this year. A design team from Stride Treglown Architects and Arup engineers has been working with the University to develop the plans, which have been formally submitted to be considered for planning permission. BAM will work with the University and the design team as part of the final design stage to draw up the detailed plans. The proposed building will contain more than 40 new teaching, learning and research spaces, including electronics and hydraulics labs, a flight simulator, a robotics lab, clean and industrial research spaces, collaborative teaching spaces, as well as virtual reality capability, and exhibition spaces. One of the key principles of the building will be to promote interdisciplinary working by making the activities that are taking place visible and accessible. A focus point for this will be new ‘makerspaces’ which will bring low-risk activity out into central areas, where students can create and innovate, with access to equipment to complete their activities. Justin Price, Construction Director at BAM, said: “As we embark upon this construction project we have the chance to build something really special at the University of South Wales. BAM’s passion for innovation and commitment to excellence means we’re looking forward to creating a space that not only meets the University’s expectations but exceeds them. The COMET project is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our expertise and deliver a masterpiece that will stand the test of time. The construction of the new building also enables us to offer a fantastic learning opportunity for students at the University of South Wales. BAM will work with University staff and students to provide unique opportunities on the project, ensuring we leave behind a positive legacy as well as an outstanding new building.” Subject to the planning permission being granted, the building will be constructed on vacant land at the campus following the demolition of two buildings in recent years. Construction of the building will take approximately two years to complete. It is hoped that construction will commence later in 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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.”
Clegg Construction started work to develop a £13.5 million Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College. The company has been appointed by the Inspire Education Group for the design and build of the three-storey reinforced concrete frame green technology centre, which is being constructed at the main college campus, off Park Crescent. The centre, which will be a low-carbon project, will offer a curriculum that includes modern methods of construction, emerging construction technologies, alternative heat sources and electric vehicle technology. It will include a total floor space of 2,300 sq m and is due to be completed towards the end of next year. Darren Chapman, director at Clegg Construction, said: “The Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College is an inspiring project which will make a real difference to the future, training the next generation to work in green technologies and modern methods of construction. “Clegg Construction is very pleased to have been appointed to partner with the Inspire Education Group to deliver this exciting scheme and we are delighted to have now started on site. With this being a live and busy educational setting, with public access, and lessons and exams to consider, the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and visitors is at the forefront of our approach – particularly as the building phase of the project gets underway.” Over the course of the build, Clegg will be engaging with the college to provide experience and insight into the construction sector and associated professions for students. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
