Glittering finish to city university’s ‘living lab’

Symbolic of the glittering aspirations of Peterborough’s new university, a gold-coloured ‘living lab’ is emerging from the scaffolding, bricks and timber as construction of a third phase of the institute nears completion.

The accessible Living Lab public science and technology space on the Bishop’s Road campus will be the central feature of the new phase, which will include a second teaching block, is on course for completion in five months time after being under construction since June last year.

And now bosses of ARU Peterborough have confirmed that the official name for the much anticipated living lab will simply be ‘The Lab’.

A university spokesperson said: “Work is on schedule and the building, which is phase three of ARU Peterborough, is due to be handed over to us in August this year.

The living lab will offer an interactive science centre and education space and will host events,exhibitionsandflexible learning, including festivals of ideas, immersive displays, hackathons, forums and evening classes.

Professor Ross Renton, principal of ARU Peterborough, said: “We want the campus to be striking and inspiring, reflecting the bold

ambition we have for the universityandourstudents.Phase threecomplementsUniversity House (phase one) which was shortlisted for the prestigious AJArchitectureAwards2023.”

He added: “Our Living Lab will be a golden triangle of expertresearchersandlecturers

working with the community in participatory research and with industry, creating knowledge at the heart of this city.”

ArchitectLienGeens,Associate Director of MCW architects,said:“Thegoldenfacades ofthedoubleheightLivingLab wing of the building are visually bold, and plentiful glazing makes it a welcoming and inspiringplaceforbothstudents and the wider community to engage with university life.

"Thisbuildingisareflection oftheuniversity’sambitiousvisionforthecampus,andweare delightedtobepartoftheteam bringing this vision to life.”

Fundingforthe£30million university has been provided bytheCambridgeshireandPeterboroughCombinedAuthority, ARU, and Peterborough City Council plus £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Atthebeginningoftheyear, civicandpoliticalleadersgathered to celebrate the topping out of the new building.

Construction of the third phase of ARU Peterborough and its new gold building is on schedule for completion this

Construction of the third phase of ARU Peterborough is on schedule for completion this summer.

The gold-coloured third phase of ARU Peterborough.