£46.5m university engineering block completed
BUILDING work on a new £46.5 million School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham has been completed.
The showpiece facility on the Edgbaston campus spans five floors and features a double-height atrium.
The facility is designed with “agile and collaborative working between academics, researchers, students and staff in mind”.
The basement also houses a fullsize set of railway points, the university’s pantograph test rig and a test track for the scaled hydrogen-powered train – further expanding the university’s commitment to the integration of academia and industry.
The development brings together many of the institution’s engineering disciplines.
Head of the University of Birmingham’s School of Engineering, Professor Clive Roberts, said: “We are delighted to receive the keys to the newly built School of Engineering. We are committed to providing the best facilities for our staff, students and researchers, as well as enabling collaboration with our industry partners and encouraging different and more flexible ways of working.
“We are passionate about educating the next generation of engineers. Alongside accessing features such as the Design Centre and our expanded computer labs, our new building provides students with the opportunity to work with engineers across the disciplines. Their learning will mirror the workplace, encouraging and developing their understanding of industry and their role within it.
“The new building also sits alongside our new centre of excellence in railway innovation, the UK Railway Research Innovation Network (UKRRIN) Digital Systems Innovation Centre, placing industry at the heart of our campus.
“In the coming months, we are looking forward to opening its doors to welcome staff, students and industry partners.”
The building has been constructed by national contractor Willmott Dixon.