Landmark moment for the University of Salford as Morgan Sindall Construction hands over Science, Engineering and Environment Building

Morgan Sindall Construction has celebrated the completion of its work at the University of Salford’s brand new Science, Engineering and Environment Building (SEE Building) that forms part of the Salford Crescent and University District’s wider masterplan.

The four-storey, 15,550 square metre SEE Building will welcome students and researchers for the new academic year. The facility serves as an exemplar of the University’s commitment to its industry collaboration strategy, which is designed to facilitate students, academics and industry partners working together on cutting edge industry facing projects.

Bringing together world-leading research and future facing teaching and learning, the SEE Building will be occupied by a series of research and teaching laboratories including physics, electrical, electronics, composite and chemical vapour deposition.

The £65 million project, procured through the North West Construction Hub framework, also features a wind tunnel, previously located at Salford Innovation Research Centre (SIRC) and boasts high-spec laser laboratories.

The new build incorporates high sustainability credentials, a key element of the University’s pledge to reduce the environmental impact of the wider masterplan. While fully electrically powered, the build is supported by 154 roof mounted photovoltaic panels which provide renewable energy.

The Salford Crescent and University District’s wider masterplan includes opportunities to develop one million square feet of educational floor space, six million square feet of commercial space targeted at industrial growth sectors, two million square feet of public realms in addition to green landscaped routes and cycle ways, and 2,500 new homes and apartments.

Morgan Sindall Construction has worked on the scheme alongside project manager Faithful + Gould, architect Sheppard Robson and engineers Arup.

The University of Salford and Morgan Sindall Construction have maintained a close working relationship, underpinned by their partnership in 2018 on a programme focused on enhancing the employability credentials of undergraduates, which looks to combine the latest academic understanding of industry trends and developments with real world experience and learning.

The programme has been delivered through regular site visits, workshops and providing expert advice on project proposals for design, planning, costing and development to multi-disciplinary student teams within the surroundings of the specially built Knowledge Quad, a multi-purpose training and learning facility based on site during the build programme.

Elsewhere on the campus, Morgan Sindall Construction is also building the University’s North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC).

Shaun Jones, Greater Manchester area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said:

“The building itself will unlock potential for future generations, while the construction of it has simultaneously allowed for real economic benefits in the surrounding area. Our close relationship with the University has enabled local students to visit our sites and absorb knowledge from our team. Our two organisations have a shared commitment to creating a future-fit workforce, using the tools at our disposal to help the next generation develop lasting and rewarding careers.

“We’re excited to be handing over the new building on schedule, providing a sustainable new home for the University’s engineering, environment and scientific researchers and students. It’s been a privilege to work so closely with the University of Salford and we look forward to furthering our partnership as our work at NERIC continues.”

Jason Challender, Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Salford, said:

“We are proud to open the new SEE Building for our students and staff. It is an outstanding new-build which is 100% electric-powered and underpinned by sustainable, intelligent design.. Because the team tailored each level of the building to accommodate different uses, we also have an extremely flexible space that will serve the University for years to come.

“Our partnership with Morgan Sindall has been strengthened by the work they have done with us on the new build. By working closely with the team from the very outset of the project, we could anticipate and address challenges together. Collaboration has formed the building and will take place in its labs and shared spaces every day.”

Alex Solk, partner at Sheppard Robson, said:

“It’s been thrilling to see this building take shape. Our design houses an extraordinary range of spaces for invention, weaving together specialist facilities alongside areas for agile working. The building has been designed to express the School’s industrious and explorative spirit, with the flexible, all-electric building delivering on the sustainability targets that underpinned the design from the start.”