University granted consent for iconic new engineering and design facility

The current plans have been developed by the project architects and University staff over the space of around a year, with a virtual public consultation in July 2020 also influencing its internal and external facilities and appearance. The planning decision means the University can continue commercial negotiations with BAM Construct UK, with the aim of exchanging contracts in early 2021 and beginning work.

Colin Cobb, Associate at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, said:

“Our proposals for the engineering and design facility will provide state-of-the-art new facilities through the sustainable re-use of existing infrastructure. Our plans take the building back to the original concrete frame – a characterful waffle-slab construction – that will be revealed by stripping out suspended ceilings and overhead services to create open and well-lit spaces to promote creativity, cross-disciplinary collaboration and wellbeing. The design has incorporated a range of complex and ambitious technical facilities, which will provide engineering and design students with the experience and skills they need to design our future. We are excited to have received planning permission for the project and look forward to starting construction in 2021.”

Graham Kingdon, Construction Director for BAM, added:

“It is a tremendous pleasure to renew our relationship with the University of Plymouth, which has previously produced the Roland Levinsky Building among others. We’re looking at all the ways we can bring our higher education knowledge and our digital expertise in design and construction to bear, to create a facility that is sustainable and energy efficient. As always we plan to work in our highly collaborative way and use this scheme to support Building Plymouth by creating opportunities for future employment and training.”

BAM’s engagement has come via the Southern Construction Framework procurement route.