G F TOMLINSON HANDS OVER KEYS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING BUILDING

Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson has handed over the keys for Nottingham’s flagship Advanced Manufacturing Building to the University of Nottingham.

The 9,000m² state-of-the art building provides facilities for research to support and shape the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector, including modern engineering laboratories, offices and a specialist ‘clean room’ for the research and development of 3D printed pharmaceutical devices.

The £23 million facility will be an expansion of the University’s Faculty of Engineering, hosting several world-leading research groups and accommodating some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies related to automation, precision manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) and light weight composite materials.

The breath-taking building now stands tall on Derby Road, providing a new south entrance to the University’s Jubilee Campus.

As part of the project, a brand new scout hut has also been constructed in the campus for the 62^nd Wollaton Park Scout Group, replacing the previous, virtually derelict building which was compromising the new entrance layout.

Chris Jagger, Chief Estates and Facilities Officer at the University of Nottingham, said: “This pioneering project delivers a fantastic addition to the University’s portfolio of unique and ground-breaking buildings and it further enhances the continued growth of our Jubilee Campus. The project has also included a replacement new building for the 62^nd Wollaton Park Scout Group which will also provide facilities for the local community.”

Andy Sewards, managing director of G F Tomlinson said, “We are delighted to hand over this state-of-the-art research facility to the University of Nottingham, our fifth project on the Jubilee Campus. This flagship development builds on our reputation for delivering high quality, sustainable buildings within the higher education sector.

“We have worked with the client to ensure this new building meets the specific needs of its users, providing highly specialist facilities for academic staff, researchers and students.

“The scheme has also achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, meaning that it meets strict industry standards for eco-efficiency which will help keep running costs low and protect the environment.”

During the construction of the new development, G F Tomlinson maximised employment and training opportunities for local people.

Thanks to a dedicated partnership with Nottingham Jobs almost 150 hours of work experience opportunities were provided onsite to help unemployed local residents access jobs in the construction industry and fulltime employment opportunities were secured as a result.

G F Tomlinson also hosted site tours for more than 120 architectural and civil engineering students to support their learning and development.

Andy Sewards said: “As a regional contractor, we are committed to delivering employment and training for local people on all our projects. Working closely with the University and local organisations, we have ensured the project provided wider benefits to the students and local communities through career support and employment opportunities.”

The project has been part funded by £5 million from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and a £1 million contribution from the Wolfson Foundation to provide a state-of-the-art clean room for the investigation of 3D printed pharmaceutical devices.

The project team includes project managers Turner and Townsend, architects Bond Bryan, engineers Arup and cost managers Currie and Brown (previously Sweett).