Morgan Sindal Construction has celebrated an important milestone in the construction of a second teaching building incorporating a ‘Living Lab’ science facility at ARU Peterborough, with a ceremonial spade being dug into the ground to mark the start of work.
Representatives from the partners developing the university, the Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), joined Morgan Sindall on site to celebrate the milestone.
This third phase of the ARU Peterborough campus is on the site of the former Regional Pool car park, next to the first teaching building delivered, University House, which opened to students in September. Procured through the Pagabo framework, it is planned to open to in autumn 2024.
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, Leader of Peterborough City Council, Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, ARU Peterborough Principal Prof Ross Renton, ARU Vice Chancellor Prof Roderick Watkins, Combined Authority Business Board member Rachael Stephens and Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridgeshire, Jamie Shearman, were among those marking the start of works.
The Living Lab, part of the second teaching building, will be a publicly accessible, interactive science facility and education space. It aims to engage and inspire residents and visitors in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) topics. It will form part of a pedestrian-friendly campus and will have the flexibility to host a variety of events, exhibitions, education opportunities with local schools, immersive displays, talks, forums and potentially evening classes. Students will also be able to engage the community in their research, embedding work at the university even further in the community.
The second teaching building will help realise the ambition of the campus as a new cultural attraction for Peterborough, and a centrepiece within a new University Quarter which is publicly accessible and attractively designed.
The new building will support mainly STEM fields and expand the number of places for students. There will be specialist teaching labs, including in microbiology and engineering, flexible teaching spaces, and a social learning space.
ARU Peterborough is an employment-focused university, with a curriculum developed in collaboration with local employers, giving students the skills demanded in the local economy, helping them into good careers and helping businesses to grow.
The new building will be lower in height and smaller in size than the main University House. It is planned to meet the requirements of an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating, which is an industry-standard benchmark of a building’s sustainability, including aspects like energy efficiency. Walking and cycling will be encouraged, with cycle parking provided. Landscaping will provide peaceful, attractive areas to socialise or take a break.
The planning application included an assessment of the many heritage assets in the area, including the Grade I Listed Peterborough Cathedral, and established that the proposals would not result in any harm to the heritage interests of the area.
Jamie Shearman, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridgeshire, said: “As a regional business, it is great to be celebrating work commencing at the university as we are excited to be working alongside Peterborough City Council, the combined authority and of course, Anglia Ruskin University and the Pagabo framework.
“The development will have a hugely positive impact on the wider community in Peterborough, delivering real social value through the creation of high-quality jobs within our local supply chains, and opening up opportunities for training and development for the next generation of construction professionals in the region.”
