Keys delivered for £28m school of architecture in Wolverhampton
Work on a new £28m school of architecture at the University of Wolverhampton has taken another step forward – as bosses took delivery of the keys to the new building.
Main contractor, ISG, officially handed keys over for the new £28 million School of Architecture and Built Environment (SoABE) on Springfield Campus following completion of the building work which started in October 2018.
Despite work being temporarily disrupted on the site due to pandemic lockdown restrictions in March, ISG carried out the remainder of the work with a reduced workforce.
The project opens the doors for the future of brownfield regeneration.
The new building, designed by Birmingham based Associated Architects, is the latest addition to the University's £100 million investment in a new campus at the former brewery.
Professor Geoff Layer, vice-chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: "This is a momentous occasion for the university and the culmination of a vision which has transformed a derelict piece of land into a magnificent place of learning and research which will change the way people view brownfield regeneration.
"Since the purchase of Springfield in 2014, the derelict site has been rejuvenated into a centre of excellence for construction and the built environment, delivering an unbeatable skills pathway for construction education and training from the age of 14 to senior professionals and acting as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration.
"The new School of Architecture and Built Environment is investing and growing to meet the demands of modern industry and our strong links with employers enable programmes to be developed to closely match their needs – this offers our graduates great employment opportunities upon completion of their degree course."
Wayne Flannery, regional director at ISG, said: "It has been truly inspiring to be involved in the realisation of this outstanding regeneration project and help transform this site from its industry entrenched roots to the centre of learning excellence we see before us today."
Simon Kendall, regional director at Faithful+Gould and project lead on SoABE, said: "It has been a long journey with every effort made to treat the existing buildings with respect and bring the heritage of the site back to life for future generations so it's really satisfying to see the building being handed over to the university.
"The project will provide a fantastic opportunity for future construction professionals to understand how buildings fit together and work and be an exemplar of how to regenerate an historic site with a careful blend of restoration and sympathetically designed new buildings."
The new School of Architecture offers specialist teaching and social learning spaces, design studios, specialist labs, multi-disciplinary workshops, lecture theatre, cafe, offices, meeting rooms, ICT rooms and a top floor super studio with double height ceilings.
It will provide space for nearly 1,100 existing students and 65 staff, with the number of students projected to grow over time to 1,600.
The school will specialise in supporting skills in architecture, construction, civil engineering, building control, building services, facilities management, quantity surveying, planning, construction management, housing and commercial.
It is due to open in September 2020.
