The University of Manchester have appointed Netherlands-based Mecanoo Architecten as Lead Designer and Architect for their new Engineering Campus. With a budget of over £200m this will be the largest single capital works project ever undertaken by The University of Manchester.

The development will see the relocation of the Schools of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science,   Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials and Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Engineering, and as well as several key Research Institutes, Foundation Studies, and the majority of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty’s leadership and Professional Support Services to a regenerated site in the heart of the existing campus.

This will support an integrated academic community and create new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration whilst enhancing the student experience and maximizing space efficiency.

Francine Houben, creative director of Mecanoo says about the appointment: “We look forward to working with The University of Manchester to develop a facility that promotes modern, world leading teaching, learning and research. Planning will focus on creating a gateway between the city centre of Manchester and the University campus and increasing the accessibility of the campus for the local community.”

Work on The Manchester Engineering Campus Development incorporates new build and some refurbished accommodation; including the Grade II listed Oddfellows Hall. The versatility of Mecanoo’s office, which includes architects, urban planners, landscape architects, interior designers and architectural engineers, will enable them to deliver an integrated design for the project.

Mecanoo starts working on the design in May 2014 and will be supported by a team including Penoyre & Prasad, AECOM, Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture and Buro Happold; Arup have been appointed as civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers. Construction is expected to start in 2015 and due for completion in 2019.

University of Manchester Campus Masterplan

In 2011, The University of Manchester published plans within the Manchester 2020 vision to make the institution one of the top 25 research universities in the world by 2020. The subsequent Campus Masterplan supports this goal by creating one of the most modern single site campuses in the world. Over a period of ten years, The University of Manchester will invest £1bn in the construction and refurbishment of new teaching and research buildings, student facilities and major improvements to the public realm. The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) is part of the first £700m phase of the Campus Masterplan. The entire scheme will be finalised in 2022.

The design and delivery team for the Manchester Engineering Campus Development includes:

• Architects - Mecanoo

• Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers - Arup

• Project Managers - Buro Four

• Briefing Consultants - iDEA/ Buro Happold

• Cost Consultants - Sweett Group

• Construction Design and Management (CDM) Coordinator - AECOM

• Environmental and Sustainability Adviser - Buro Happold