£35m UCLan development wins construction award

The newly opened Engineering Innovation Centre at the University of Central Lancashire has been honoured for the for its mechanical and electrical work.

The £35m development was named Building Services Project of the Year (North West) at the 2019 Specifi awards.

Construction began in 2017 and was completed in June this year. It will produce graduates trained in aerospace, mechanical and energy technologies and engineering and lead developments in emerging fields such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, drone technology and The Internet of Things.

Michael Ahern, chief operating officer at UCLan, said: “Construction of the EIC has recently completed and it’s fantastic that this milestone has coincided with the building’s first award win. We’re looking forward to the EIC welcoming students when they return for the new academic year in September and showcasing this impressive facility.”

The facility was designed by architects SimpsonHaugh in partnership with Reiach and Hall Architects. It was built by main contractor BAM and the engineering, which earned the award, was undertaken by BDP.

Robert Ferry, principal at BDP, said: “As a former student at UCLan I was personally very excited when we were commissioned to deliver the EIC building with our architect friends at Simpson Haugh and Reiach & Hall.

"The finished product really is a fantastic building that will provide UClan and the surrounding business community with a facility in which to collaborate and build on the rich engineering heritage within the area. To receive awards for the scheme is icing on the cake and testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the project. Well done all.”