A groundbreaking ceremony marked the first day of construction yesterday on the University of Southampton, North East Quadrant, Phase 1 scheme, a new state of the art teaching and learning building.
We are providing cost management services on the project and had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking celebrations for the new building, which will act as a gateway into the Highfield Campus. Our offering also includes input from our specialist teams; our façade team provided expert advice on the proposed façade solution and our engineering services team ensured that low energy design principles remained both affordable and deliverable.
The project is part of an ambitious programme of rejuvenation and refurbishment across the University’s campuses which will create the best education and studying facilities for students, enable world-class research to take place, and foster collaboration with businesses.
The proposed development is a circa 15,500 m2 five-storey new-build facility consisting of lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a dedicated facilities hub, a cafeteria and social well-being areas, along with academic office space that demonstrates the university’s commitment to an enhanced yet sustainable staff and student experience. Students and staff will benefit from the building’s access to landscaped green spaces, outdoor covered study spaces and informal seating, enabling them to feel more connected to nature.
Every aspect of the building has been planned to meet the University’s Sustainability Strategic Plan and will be its most sustainable building to date. The space has been designed with a fabric first, low energy approach, maximising the use of natural ventilation where possible. Low energy light fittings will be installed, photovoltaic panels will be added to part of the roof, and an air source heat pump will heat the building.
Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton, emphasised the importance of the new facility:
“This groundbreaking represents more than just the construction of a new building- it symbolises our dedication to fostering an innovative and inspiring learning environment for our students and faculties. This space will be a hub of creativity, collaboration and academic excellence, ensuring that the University of Southampton continues to be a sector leader in education.”
Turner & Townsend alinea Director and Project Lead, John O’Neill, said:
“It has been a privilege to work on this project, and see it commence to the construction phase is very rewarding. We hope this building will provide a high calibre addition to the University of Southampton’s Highfield campus.”
Congratulations to the project team:
Client: University of Southampton
Contractor: Kier Group PLC
Architect: Sheppard Robson
Project Manager: Buro Four
Structures/Façades: Arup
MEP: Ramboll
Photography credit: University of Southampton
