Derry~Londonderry Teaching and Student Centre Works

Overview

The Contract is for the provision of DLD Teaching and Student Centre Works to Ulster University. The project will involve the construction of a new Teaching and Student Centre (TSC) block at Ulster University’s campus in Derry-Londonderry (DLD) adjacent to the Library at Northland Road BT48 7JL. The new TSC building is to provide additional Lecture and Seminar spaces, Computer Labs and on campus Student Services and will also free up space in other buildings on campus for teaching and research activities. The proposed site is located on Northland Road, adjacent to the existing Library (Block MM) and Teaching Block (Block MU). The building form is predominantly three interconnected blocks, arranged around existing trees and connected via a central circulatory spine. The form of the building is sensitive to the history and setting of the site, and the arrangement of internal spaces focuses on pedestrian connectivity with connection to the existing Library blocks through a high-level link into a repurposed space and visual low-level connection to the existing Teaching block. Required modifications and refurbishment within the existing block(s) to accommodate the connection and associated access to the new building are included within the scope of the TSC project. The building includes a lower ground floor, ground floor, plus 3-storeys at the highest point, all classified under use class F1 (learning and non-residential institutions). The building’s GIA is anticipated to be circa 5200m2 and the TSC is intended to create a three-dimensional landscape, with green spaces, terraces and courtyards integrated into the site. The TSC is due to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating low-energy systems and climate-resilient materials are proposed throughout, to achieve a low carbon building. PV panels are included on the roofs of the interconnected blocks and green roofs are proposed on terraces. Further details are provided in the planning drawings and supporting documents for the Project, including the Design Access Statements (DAS) can be found here: Northern Ireland Public Register. The planning application reference is PP-14106027. The University is using Design and Construct as the project delivery methodology under the Contract.