First phase of refurb completed
HENRY Brothers and Franklin Ellis Architects have announced that the first phase of refurbishment works to Loughborough University’s existing science buildings has reached completion.
The full £30m construction works are due for completion in autumn 2019 ahead of the 2019/2020 academic year and will see the university’s W and S buildings converted to provide new laboratories, offices, lecture rooms and ancillary student spaces at its West Park Campus.
Phase one works, which commenced in April 2017, have included the creation of a new entrance to the W building, a cafeteria and open plan breakout spaces, a completely refurbished chemistry department, tribology and acoustic workshops, as well as a new architectural studio space.
Phase two of the works started in August 2017 and when complete next year will see a number of additional new research laboratories and teaching facilities introduced across the W and S buildings, as well as a new entrance to the S building.
Prior to the redevelopment works, the W and S buildings housed lecture theatres, classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
Andy Dowding, partner at Franklin Ellis Architects in charge of the scheme, said: “We have been onsite for over a year now and it’s brilliant to see our vision coming to life. The design allows plenty of natural daylight into the buildings, which has been achieved by incorporating open plan research areas, breakout spaces and large internal glazed screens.”
Architect Riyan Dalal is the project lead on the scheme and has worked closely with both Henry Brothers and Loughborough University on projects in the past.
Nottingham-based Franklin Ellis Architects is providing architectural services for the scheme on behalf of construction company Henry Brothers Ltd.