Lancaster University Engineering Building

Stunning, Award Winning Education Facility for Lancaster University
CLIENT
Lancaster University
SIZE
4,750 sqm
DATE COMPLETED
February 2015
VALUE
£8.1m
ARCHITECT
John McAslan & Partners
SUSTAINABILITY
BREEAM Outstanding

Overview

The project comprised of the design and construction of a new four storey Engineering building on the Lancaster University campus, creating a world-class environment with specially designed workshops, teaching laboratories and office areas.

The new building provides additional areas for future growth and recent new specialisms such as nuclear, energy and chemical engineering.

The two-winged development with a central atrium houses mechanical workshops and laboratories on the ground floor, electronics and chemical engineering on the first floor with levels three and four providing academic office space, study areas and meeting zones.

The inspirational working and learning environment is fitted with the latest, top-of-the-range equipment, workshops and laboratories with contemporary ‘live labs’, visible from the outside of the building.

The department also comprise extensive chemical engineering facilities, hydropower rigs and nuclear laboratories; and high quality research facilities for marine renewable energy, chemical engineering, manufacturing, micro/nano systems and terahertz.

The building was designed to achieve the new BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating to reflect industry benchmarks and to raise the bar for building efficiency in line with the University’s sustainability and carbon reduction targets.

Awards

BCI Award 2015

Project of the Year – Winner

RIBA North West 2015

Regional Award – Winner

RIBA North West 2015

Sustainability Award – Winner

local-workforce   46.3% Local workforce                     waste-recycled   100% Waste recycling                    ccs-score   40/50 Considerate Constructors score

Key Challenges

Construction took place on the University campus and we have established robust measures to protect the safety of the staff, students and visitors. Full site segregation, security staffed entrance, debris netting and clear communication help ensure that construction activities can run smoothly alongside of the University’s normal operations.  Site conduct standards reflect a positive learning environment and diverse student population.

The site was bound by a netball court, pathways and adjacent buildings.  We developed robust logistics, access, delivery, noise control and site management plans in collaboration with the University to ensure safety and minimise disruption.

Added Value

Students captured progression of the build throughout the project making their own film in the process.

We introduced a number of Cost Savings to the Building Life Cycle through introducing environmental and sustainable options. Proprietary internal cladding system to the service door locations was changed to a locally sourced timber product which contributed to the sustainability and BREEAM credits of the project.

Client Feedback

“The new Engineering building is a fantastic addition to Lancaster’s estate and offers truly world class facilities. Eric Wright Construction has worked hard to deliver a quality building for our Engineering Department, a building that will inspire our students of the future.”
Mark Swindlehurst
Director of Facilities, Lancaster University

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Get in Touch

For all enquiries, please get in touch with the team here at Eric Wright.