Science, Engineering & Environment (SEE) Building, University of Salford

Background

The SEE Building forms part of the Salford Crescent and University District wider masterplan, and brings together an entire faculty in one space at the University of Salford. It serves as an exemplar model of the University’s commitment to its industry collaboration strategy, which is designed to facilitate students, academics and industry partners working together on cutting edge industry facing projects. The environment fostered within the SEE Building will bring together world-leading research and future facing teaching and learning to offer unique opportunities that better prepare students for life after university.

Scope

The four-storey, 15,550m2 steel frame building is occupied by the University’s departments of Robotics; Built Environment, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Computer Science; and The Morson Maker Space. The building is set around an open plan layout with dedicated spaces for collaborative learning between disciplines. The facility features offices, seminar rooms and high spec laboratories as well as workshops and makerspaces. Also included are high tech facilities such as laser laboratories, robotics and aeronautics.

A collaborative approach

Integrating the specialised requirements of multiple university stakeholders posed significant challenges. Each brought its own operational and functional requirements as well as new and legacy specialised equipment – notably a supersonic wind tunnel and overhead gantry crane, requiring inclusion of a Strong Floor to the building design. The project was delivered via a two stage procurement route mirroring the collaborative ethos of the project with customer, contractor, design and supply chain partners working in a truly collaborative manor from an early stage.

What our customers said

Jason Challender, Director of Estates, University of Salford said:

We are proud to open the new SEE Building - an outstanding new-build which is underpinned by sustainable, intelligent design. Because the team tailored each level of the building to accommodate different uses, we also have an extremely flexible space that will serve the University for years to come. We thoroughly embedded the philosophy of partnering and collaboration – many people pay lip service to those words, however our relationship with Morgan Sindall has truly been built upon trust. Collaboration has formed the building and will take place in its labs and shared spaces every day." 

Peter Dentith, Head of Projects, Salford University said:

The successful delivery of the SEE Building was down to the fully collaborative multidisciplinary team all working together - each with the right mindset to work and and nobody keeping cards to chests. This open and honest approach truly helped us to get this project off the ground, with the Covid pandemic setting in during preconstruction. Via a people focused process, involving Morgan Sindall and the consultant team, we were able to gain trust in each other to navigate risk and get the project to site on time.”

Charlotte France, Snr Project Manager, Salford University said:

Collaboration has been one of our key drivers for the SEE Building from its inception and Morgan Sindall’s commitment in this area set them apart from the competition. We have enjoyed long-standing industry-academia partnership with the contractor through our Industry Collaboration Zone, and are pleased to see that their approach and commitment to the University has been mirrored through the delivery of our project." 

Social Value

The project social value plan during construction focused on enhancing student education and employment through the University's Industry Collaboration Zone.

As part of this, Morgan Sindall introduced its Knowledge Quad concept to the project; a multi-purposed training and learning facility which delivers value through four focus areas of skills, education, employment and discovery. Based within the onsite set up, it provided Salford students, as well as other users, with unique insight into a working construction environment.

Nicky Harris, Programme Director, Salford University said:

Whilst qualifications are undoubtedly at the core of the University experience, it is through industry insight that our students gain the skills required to hit the ground running and excel in the workplace. A great example of this is our long-standing partnership with Morgan Sindall which has helped to prepare legions of our students for future careers in the built environment."