A multi-million pound project to deliver a brand new teaching and learning hub at the University of Warwick reached its uppermost point on 4th May at the official topping out ceremony.
This is a significant milestone for the £20m Teaching and Learning Building, which is the first stage in a comprehensive redevelopment of the central part of the university’s campus.
Project and cost manager Pick Everard, contractor Willmott Dixon and representatives from the University of Warwick including Vice Chancellor Stuart Croft and a number of student ambassadors attended the event, where the milestone was marked by the trowelling of a lecture theatre step.
Director at Pick Everard, Ian Shaw, said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved in such a prestigious and important scheme for the university. We took the strategic brief from the University and using our knowledge of the client and the HE sector, configured an approach which is delivering every one of the original aspirations, on time and on budget.
“I am glad that we have had this opportunity to mark this important milestone and involve the student ambassador group who were instrumental in shaping the proposals.”
Peter Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon, added: “This is an important milestone in the delivery of this innovative building at the university, which will offer its staff and students the highest quality modern facilities within an incredibly striking building.”
The Teaching and Learning building will provide the university with a facility that includes 250 and 500 seat lecture theatres alongside new teaching and seminar space, as well as innovative social and network areas which will be accessible by faculties across the university.
The design concept has two wings of teaching spaces with a curved interconnecting roof covering the lecture theatres which are set within the centre of the building. It aims to make the most of the space available, enabling students make the most of a large new multi-functional space that includes new social and learning areas.
Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick said: “It’s inspiring to see the building take shape and progress seems to be made on a daily basis. The opportunities this new building brings for our students are fantastic. It’s a purpose built building for all on campus.
“Architecturally it’s outstanding, with cutting edge facilities to help with teaching, learning, academic study and our huge range of societies. I hope it will make a big difference to students, helping to emphasise the importance of teaching, along with research, at Warwick.”
The project was procured through the Scape Major Works framework and Project Management and Quantity Surveying framework.
