Morgan Sindall Construction breaks ground on new technology building for University of Exeter

Morgan Sindall Construction has won a contract to deliver a new extension to the University of Exeter in Devon, helping to improve educational facilities for computer science (higher education) in the South West.

The team has already begun work on the new building, which will be located on the University’s Streatham Campus by the existing Innovation Centre, and will house an adaptable space including an Artificial Intelligence Arena and Computer Learning Laboratory.

The new building is one of several to deliver technical education across the south west, as part of the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT). The SWIoT is one of 12 Institutes of Technology located across the country in a unique collaboration between a number of partner organisations, developing state-of-the-art facilities for training the next generation of highly skilled technicians and engineers.

The scheme has been part-funded by the Department for Education (DfE) through a £170 million investment, while a group of ‘anchor employers’, including members from the Oxygen House and the Met Office in Exeter, will keep the new institutes up-to-date with access to the latest industry skills and equipment.

Social value initiatives planned for the build programme include employing local businesses, with 80% of the supply chain aiming to be based within thirty miles of the site. The project has also been certified as ‘Excellent’ under BREEAM sustainability qualifications.

Brian Rice, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to have begun work on the Institute of Technology for the University of Exeter and are looking forward to seeing this signature project take shape.

“There has been an increased focus on ­STEM investment this year, not least because the pandemic has underlined the importance of science data and technology. Together with its partner institutions, the new expansion will create a modern, state-of-the-art facility ready to support the next generation of digital and data specialists.”

Morgan Sindall Construction has delivered more than £20 million of work for the University of Exeter in the past five years alone, and is currently onsite at the campus carrying out improvement and refurbishment works to the existing Harrison building.

In order to maximise the available space, the new project has been designed as subterranean, meaning the building will sit partially within the existing grass bank. Skylights will therefore be installed to ensure the new build remains well-lit, whilst external landscaping will be carried out to allow for pedestrian walkways.

Inside the one-storey main building will be 4,305 square-feet of underground teaching space including two main teaching areas. There will also be a communal area and entrance foyers with toilets and access to plant rooms.

Outside, there will be a new green roof terrace area to which students and staff will have access, while a link structure at the back of the building will adjoin to the existing innovation centre and create an access way.

Enabling works began in June with a series of service diversions, while the full contract began with onsite works before Christmas. Construction is scheduled to complete in late summer 2021.

All construction work will be held in strict compliance with current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, with all onsite workers maintaining social distancing and wearing protective PPE. Additional welfare units have also been established, to give more communal space for the site staff and ensure that Morgan Sindall Construction project teams do not mix.

• For more information about this news release please contact Helena Young at Influential on 07708896211 or email [email protected]