Conlon appointed to UCLan's £8.5m social spaces project

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has appointed Preston-based Conlon Construction as contractor for the creation its new social spaces.

A single storey ground floor extension will be added to the university’s existing Foster Building and will include areas for break out activities and informal spaces for social learning. A similar facility will also be created linking together Harrington and Greenbank buildings and both are being developed with the Students’ Union and as a direct result of student feedback.

“The best learning and research outcomes are achieved when a diverse range of environments are available and this will be a quality space which will blur the traditional boundaries between places to work and socialise.

Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction, added: “We are honoured to have been appointed to this project which will kick-start UCLan’s multi-million programme of works.

Multi-award winning architecture practice AHR has provided the design for the spaces and will head up a 13-strong design team, made up of key representatives from UCLan, which will establish input and ownership from the people who will use the spaces. The social spaces project is expected to be completed in autumn 2017 and is part of UCLan’s £200m Masterplan to strengthen and enhance the university as it develops, creating a world-class campus compatible with UCLan’s status as one of the UK’s largest universities.