Robert Blackburn Laboratory
Hull, UK
project overview
Providing facilities for a new civil engineering course
Supported by a £2.4m grant from the Office for Students, the newly refurbished state of the art laboratory provides a high quality learning environment, designed to ensure that graduates from the University of Hull are industry-ready and equipped with the practical skills and experience required to succeed in this rapidly growing and critical sector.
Situated on the first floor of the Robert Blackburn Building, the new facility was commissioned to accommodate the university’s brand-new degree in civil engineering.
We were appointed to lead this comprehensive refurbishment scheme, alongside providing Principal Designer for Building Regulations (PDBR) and Principal Designer for CDM (PDCDM) services and providing technical advice. We managed the project and our bespoke multidisciplinary team from initial appointment through to handover and closeout.
design elements
Achieving practical, efficient and sustainable solutions
Making best use of the space, minor reconfigurations were made to relocate some of the existing furniture and equipment, along with localised internal alterations and new fixtures, such as post-wash sinks and wash-hand basins.
To brighten the space and differentiate it from other parts of the building, redecoration works include bold yellow walls, with contrasting grey and white accents and a new internal door allows in natural light.
The university is targeting a Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) rating of ‘Gold’ – the highest tier achievable, requiring laboratories to demonstrate long-term environmental management and leadership.
The University of Hull is committed to working in partnership with Mayoral Combined Authorities, with local authorities, industry and all our communities to respond to the challenges and opportunities we collectively face. This investment in new facilities reflects our shared ambition to build a flexible, highly skilled workforce capable of powering the region’s clean energy future."
Professor Kevin Kerrigan
Interim Vice-Chancellor, University of Hullproject planning
Minimising disturbance in an occupied building
To mitigate disruption to the university’s operations and teaching, works were strategically planned to be undertaken while the building was in full occupation, with as much as of work as possible being undertaken during half terms and after hours.
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