The Lancashire-based Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) is now one step closer to becoming a reality after the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) appointed the architects and engineers for the project.
Manchester-based Simpson Haugh and Partners will act as lead designers on the £30 million project – working alongside Reiach and Hall Architects.
BDP, which was founded in Preston but itself has a presence in Manchester, is appointed to provide engineering expertise.
Building work on the Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) is set to start in early 2016. It is part of a wider £200 million revamping of the UCLan campus and facilities.
The university hopes the EIC will become an internationally competitive facility that will bring together the region’s expertise from within academia and industry.
The centre has been identified as a signature project within the government’s historic Growth Deal and the Lancashire Strategic Economic Plan, which sets out the county’s growth plans for the next 10 years.
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UCLan director of facilities management Paul Morris said the appointments of the lead engineers come at the end of a “very competitive tendering process”.
“The quality of all the bids was high and reflects the level of interest in our exciting and ambitious plans to create a facility that will act as a national centre of excellence for advanced engineering teaching, research and knowledge exchange with industry,” he continued.
“We are looking forward to working with SimpsonHaugh, Reiach and Hall and BDP to bring our plans to fruition.”
AA Projects, also with an office in Manchester, will project manage the EIC development – along with providing cost management and health and safety services.
Company director Niall Wright predicted the EIC will “provide unique facilities for the region”.
“It is excellent to be progressing this outstanding development to the next phase. We feel proud to be part of this exciting and ambitious £200 million campus redevelopment and look forward to starting on site next year,” he added.
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