State-of-the-art Molecular Sciences building tops out
The University of Birmingham, in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction, have celebrated the topping out of a new Molecular Sciences building.
Members of staff, students and VIP external guests attended the Molecular Sciences topping out ceremony
The topping out of the Molecular Sciences Building marks the latest step in the investment of the £80 million creation of this flagship project, which will provide a designated hub for the University’s Schools of Chemistry, and Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES).
Completing in 2024, the Molecular Sciences building will strengthen core research capabilities in the chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences, fostering an environment for carrying out world-class research and education.
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Birmingham, carried out the ceremonial duties.
“We are committed to providing the best facilities for staff and students. This building demonstrates our dedication to providing a vibrant space to encourage new ways of thinking, encouraging interdisciplinary work and new opportunities amongst our researchers, industry and partner institutions. I am delighted to have been joined by our staff, students and key partners at today’s event.”
Richard Fielding, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be a part of this important project with The University of Birmingham. This state-of-the-art facility ensures the city region will be at the forefront of physical sciences at a time when these specialisms are in real demand. We’d like to thank everyone involved in the project so far and it was fantastic to mark the progress to date with the topping out ceremony.”
The project is due for completion in 2024 and marks the third major partnership between the University of Birmingham and Morgan Sindall Construction, alongside the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL), which was completed in 2018 and the University House extension.
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
For further information, please contact Danann Swanton, Head of Communications and Engagement, on +44 (0)7966 311 390 or email d.swanton@bham.ac.uk
Morgan Sindall Construction
Morgan Sindall Construction is a UK business with a network of local offices. Project capabilities cover the entire range of construction activities, from special works and repair and maintenance, to major landmark schemes delivered as standalone projects or as part of larger multiple project frameworks. The company operates across the public and private sectors to deliver the social infrastructure around us – from schools, universities and hospitals to retail, office and leisure environments. Morgan Sindall Construction is part of Morgan Sindall Group plc, a leading UK construction and regeneration group with revenue of £3 billion and which operates through six divisions of Construction & Infrastructure, Fit Out, Property Services, Partnership Housing, Urban Regeneration and Investments.
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
About the Molecular Sciences Building
Around two-thirds of the 11,230 square metre gross internal floor area (GIFA) will be high-spec laboratory space; the remainder will be allocated to offices, write-up areas, tutorial rooms and flexible spaces for group collaboration.
The building will be EPC A-rated and designed to a BREEAM excellent standard; a notable rating given high specification laboratories typically have higher operational energy requirements due to the nature of research.
Through innovative design choices, the building’s 175 fume cupboards and fully fitted-out lab spaces will provide a flexible range of accommodation to enable research to answer some of the environmental challenges we’re exploring.
Raft foundations are being used in place of pile foundations; a design decision that will improve vibration control and reduce the amount of concrete used in the build process.
The project will support work experience, placement and training opportunities for both University students and the long-term unemployed. Work packages will be routed through local subcontractors and suppliers. The site team will also be engaging with community groups, in addition to students and staff at local schools.
The building is scheduled to fully open in 2024.