Luton | 22 September 2017
The new STEM building at the University of Bedfordshire took a giant step forward with a ground breaking ceremony (Thurs 21 Sept) at its Luton Campus.
University staff and representatives from the contractor RG Carter were joined by students, the architects MCW, and engineering firm AECOM to mark the start of construction on the University’s new £40m Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics building.
Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell marked the occasion by driving a commemorative spade into the ground at the University’s Park Street site.
He said: “This new STEM building is part of the University’s wider vision for high-level skills growth in Luton and Bedfordshire. Our new STEM building will support the ambitions of regional policymakers to enhance the skills base in Bedfordshire, extending opportunity for local residents and attracting investment to the region.”
The STEM building is due to open in Sept 2019 and will allow the University to offer a wide range of new science courses including Pharmacy, Nutrition, Physics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Geology and Mechanical Engineering.
The building set out over four-storeys and incorporating 6000m2 of teaching and laboratory space, will include a new Science and Engineering Outreach Centre to promote the value of science and engineering to local schools and the wider Bedfordshire community.
“It is part of an investment of £180m in cutting edge facilities by the University to transform our campuses,” said Mr Rammell. “Over the past five years we have enhanced our learning and teaching facilities for students, creating jobs and growth in Luton, Bedford and its surrounding areas.”
Colin Moses, Director at MCW architects: “The STEM building represents the next step in our involvement with the University’s long-term, campus-wide re-development, reaching back to 2007. This flexible building will enable the University to increase its undergraduate community pursuing a wide range of science and technology focused activities in a collaborative and stimulating environment that is specifically designed to facilitate the latest patterns of teaching, learning and research. The new building also provides a platform of outreach and inclusion with a highly visible and accessible ground floor space that can be used for group based learning activities and as a ‘shop window’ for the University.”
Alconbury | September 2017
MCW Architects have won an invited design competition for the MAGPAS Air Ambulance new headquarters. The 1,800m² new Headquarter and Training facilities building will bring together currently separate functions (Administration, Fundraising, Emergency Operations and Training) into a new, flexible and collaborative environment. The site is part of the Alconbury Weald Development and is ideally located for the emergency response teams to access the main road infrastructure.
The £5m project will provide a ‘home’ for a growing and highly important emergency service for East Anglian and the emerging design will form a vital part of the ongoing fundraising exercise. The project is programmed for an early Summer 2018 start on site and due for completion by May 2019.
Northampton | 01 August 2017
The Energy Centre building, part of the new Waterside Campus at University of Northampton, goes fully operational after one year of construction. The building will provide low carbon heat to all Academic, Residential and future Commercial buildings via a district heating network. The project was delivered on time and on budget. University staff, student representatives and visitors have all welcomed the striking design, the new ‘beacon’ of Waterside Campus in the form of a 26m high chimney clad in LED screen to the North.
Margate | May 2017
Following our extremely enjoyable visit to Berlin in 2016 we decided to broaden our horizons for 2017 and made an epic trip to Margate, travelling in some style, if a little slowly, in a marvellous 1971 AEC coach, owned and driven by our unique accountant, Tim Phillips.
The weather was kind to us and Broadstairs Boy, Peter’s local knowledge was useful. An inevitable look around the Turner Gallery was followed by a long lunch, some idle strolling and we all met at Botany Bay where there were a few brave bathers (still May after all) and then supper before boarding Lady Anne for our gentle journey home.
Northampton | 25 April 2017
An official topping out ceremony for the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus took place on 25th April 2017. To mark this milestone occasion, a final glass balustrade was fixed to the outside terrace on the fourth floor of the Senate Building by the University’s Pro Chancellor David Laing. He was joined by Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Petford, John Kirkland, (Chairman of Bowmer and Kirkland, main contractors of the Academic Buildings at the Waterside Campus), Matthew Vickerstaff (Deputy Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority), as well as representatives from the University, the construction industry and the local community.
The construction works of the £330 million project started in October 2015 and the Waterside Campus is due to open in September 2018.
Cambridge | April 2017
We secured planning consent for both a new home and the refurbishment of an existing Edwardian house in Great Shelford. We designed a simple new home consisting of two gabled forms addressing the street – one timber clad and one in brick for this sensitive infill site at the centre of the village. We proposed the removal of a collection of more recent additions to the existing house and replaced these with a single double height extension that makes much better use of the garden and allows a careful reorganisation of the remaining house.
Luton | April 2017
RG Carter have been appointed to deliver our new STEM Building for the University of Bedfordshire. This marks an important milestone with the University as we have been working with them now for a decade. The STEM building will be the fifth new scheme we have designed and delivered for the University and we are looking forward to forming a new relationship with RG Carter. The scheme is due for completion in mid 2019.
Northampton | 23rd March 2017
The new 180m long footbridge provides access from the town centre across the River Nene to the University of Northampton new £330m campus. The bridge was designed by MCW in coordination with CH2M engineers and LUC landscape architects and was built by Volker Fitzpatrick. The external lighting has been carefully integrated into the bridge handrail and has been designed to enhance the overall aesthetics of the bridge, provide a safe and well-lit route for users and ensure that any light spill has negligible impact on the ecology of the river and surrounding areas. The bridge will be opened to the public as part of the new campus in September 2018.