MMU Science and Engineering. Manchester
The refurbishment of the existing John Dalton Buildings, and the construction of a new feature building for the Science and Engineering faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The project sets new research and teaching spaces alongside the selective refurbishment of existing science and engineering labs, workshops and computing facilities and will significantly enhance the university’s research capabilities, STEM education, knowledge exchange strategies and international presence.

The highly sustainable new building will act as a living lab, showcasing science and engineering and connecting research and education with the wider city region to maximise collaboration with the tech-focused business community. It is organised with a plinth for the three lower floors creating a continuous flow of spaces that connect all undergraduate learning areas. Balconies and open decks in the lower atrium articulate a single learning community that will be highly visible through the three-storey ‘shop window’ to Chester Street. Above, a four-storey ‘research box’ accommodates academic workspace to the north elevation, benefitting from natural daylight and views of the city with research labs to the south, all collocated around a central upper atrium.

Coming on board during the tender negotiation period, we were commissioned to deliver the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering. We commenced the project from RIBA Stage 4 onwards with an initial period of value engineering and augmentation of stage 4 information to provide cost certainty whilst maintaining architectural design integrity.

The novated design team worked closely with the employers compliance team to ensure stage 4 information was robust and in compliance with the employers requirements.

Regular and ongoing coordination workshops were set up with both the Contractor to undertake information management and stakeholder/ compliance manager workshops where packages of design could be worked through in a collaborative process to ensure the design was considered to meet the objectives of the employer.

Workshops and an open-door policy have manifested as a regular open forum held at 5plus offices to promote collaboration and foster a spirit of non-confrontational advocacy in the combined desire to deliver a project that all parties feel they can take pride in.

The overriding intention is that this process ensures stakeholder engagement is simplified allowing compliance managers and the design team the space to have discussed and considered issues as they occur allowing solutions to be provided in accordance with the employers requirements for ratification at stakeholder presentations.