Work has started on a £3.1million “subterranean” computer science building at the University of Exeter where research will be carried out into artificial intelligence technology.
won the contract to build the new computer science extension and has already begun work on the block, situated on the university’s Streatham Campus.
The building, near existing Innovation Centre, will house an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Arena and Computer Learning Laboratory.
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In order to maximise the available space, the new project has been designed as “subterranean”, meaning the building will sit partially under an existing grass bank.
Skylights will therefore be installed to ensure the new build remains well-lit, whilst external landscaping will be carried out to allow for pedestrian walkways.
Inside the one-storey main building will be 4,305sq ft underground teaching space including two main teaching areas. There will also be a communal area and entrance foyers with toilets and access to plant rooms.
Outside, there will be a new green roof terrace area to which students and staff will have access, while a link structure at the back of the building will adjoin to the existing Innovation Centre and create an access way.
Enabling works began in June 2020 with a series of service diversions, while the full contract began with onsite works before Christmas. Construction is scheduled to complete in late summer 2021.
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The block is one of several to deliver technical education across the region as part of the South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT).
The SWIoT is one of 12 Institutes of Technology located across the country in a unique collaboration between partner organisations, developing facilities for training the next generation of highly-skilled technicians and engineers.
The scheme has been part-funded by the Department for Education (DfE) through a £170million investment, while a group of “anchor employers” - including members from the Oxygen House and the Met Office in Exeter, Babcock in Plymouth, and TDK Lambda, in Ilfracombe - will keep the new institutes up-to-date with access to the latest industry skills and equipment.
With investment from the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) for the Heart of the South West and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, SWIoT educational partners include the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, Bridgwater and Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Exeter College, Petroc and Truro and Penwith College.
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Morgan Sindall Construction was chosen for the scheme after having delivered more than £20million of work for the University of Exeter in the past five years alone. The firm is currently onsite at the campus carrying out improvement and refurbishment works to the existing Harrison building.
All construction work on the new tech block will be held in strict compliance with current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, with all on-site workers maintaining social distancing and wearing protective PPE.
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Additional welfare units have also been established, to give more communal space for the site staff and ensure that Morgan Sindall Construction project teams do not mix.
Meanwhile, social value initiatives planned for the build programme include employing local businesses, with 80% of the supply chain aiming to be based within 30 miles of the site. The project has also been certified as “excellent” under BREEAM sustainability qualifications.
Brian Rice, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to have begun work on the Institute of Technology for the University of Exeter and are looking forward to seeing this signature project take shape.
“There has been an increased focus on STEM investment this year, not least because the pandemic has underlined the importance of science data and technology. Together with its partner institutions, the new expansion will create a modern, state-of-the-art facility ready to support the next generation of digital and data specialists.”