The facility will contain the University's Engineering schools, hosting a range of flexible hi-specification laboratories and lecture spaces supporting a 10-year Campus Masterplan to create a world-class estate benefitting staff, students and visitors.
In addition to housing research institutes such as the Dalton Nuclear Institute and the BP- International Centre for Advanced Materials (BP-ICAM), the MECD will consolidate the majority of the University's estate onto one main campus, helping to create a more compact and coherent infrastructure that also reduces the University's carbon footprint and costs.
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The four-year project will also create considerable land holdings in the north of the campus, contributing to the future economic success of the city with redevelopment opportunities.
'Green' construction techniques will be used throughout the development once finished, resulting in smart energy consumption and advanced water recycling and waste systems. Overall, up to 7,000 students and 1,300 staff will be accommodated, with the MECD also incorporating blended learning facilities, workshops and a 'maker space' where students will see their engineering creations come to life.
Overall, up to 1,000 people will be employed at peak construction on the project. Balfour Beatty was appointed to the University's Construction Partnering Framework in May 2015 and has been working under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) since November 2015.
Dean Banks, Balfour Beatty Managing Director, UK Construction Services, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to construct the MECD, one of the largest single developments ever undertaken by a higher education institution in the UK."
Diana Hampson, Director of Estates at The University of Manchester, said: "The Manchester Engineering Campus Development will be a world-leading centre for learning and research."
(LM/MH)
