International management and construction consultancy, Gleeds, and award-winning architectural practice, Make have been appointed as project manager and project architect respectively on the development of a new £15 million teaching facility at the University of Nottingham.
The project involves the construction of a new 5,000m2 teaching facility that will sit on the University Park campus. The site is widely regarded as one of the most attractive in the country and is the largest of four campuses which cover an area of over 300 acres. The new building will be situated adjacent to the award-winning Hallward Library and will comprise a range of teaching facilities, as well as staff and student amenities.
Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at The University of Nottingham, Chris Jagger, said: “The new Teaching and Learning Building will correct the imbalance of teaching facilities which we have on University Park at present. This building includes both traditional seminar rooms and lecture theatres but also spaces for informal and small group learning. It will be technology enabled to deliver the latest innovations in teaching practice and to provide the best learning experience for our students. It is a significant investment by the University which we want to move forward quickly on targeting a completion of the building by the end of 2017.”
“This building is part of a £500million capital investment plan supporting our strategy plan to 2020 and it is critical to the future success of this University” he went on to day.
Make has developed an exciting vision for the New Teaching and Learning Building – one which capitalises and builds upon the strengths of the University Park Campus, while introducing a sense of openness and connection to the landscape. The building offers a flexible and inspiring learning environment and will create a focal point within the campus where people can meet, interact and share ideas.
David Patterson, partner at Make and lead architect on the project, states: “We are absolutely delighted to be designing our sixth building for The University of Nottingham. Our design gives great consideration to the teaching, learning and social interaction this new building will facilitate and we are very much looking forward to working with The University and Gleeds in the future.”
The University commissioned the project to provide more teaching facilities in order to maintain its status as a renowned University in the UK. Construction is set to start on site in July 2016 and is scheduled for completion by end-2017.
James Marshall, Project Director for Gleeds based in Nottingham, commented: “Maintaining access to cutting edge facilities is an essential part of keeping the university competitive and at the forefront of their field of expertise, both in teaching and research. The University of Nottingham has always invested in maintaining excellent student facilities and this new teaching block is no exception. We are delighted to be involved in a project that will help keep Nottingham on the map for national and international students.”
Gleeds’ relationship with The University of Nottingham began back in 1958. Over the subsequent 56 years they have assisted them in delivering over £100 million worth of construction on their three principal campuses, including the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Maths and the recently completed Amenities facility at the Sutton Bonington campus.
Gleeds works with 17 of the top 20 universities in the UK and strives to develop facilities which will help aid the teaching of future generations.
