Architectural practice AHR has been selected to design and deliver a new engineering building for the University of the West of England (UWE).

The firm will draw up designs for the multi-million pound facility, which is to be built at the University's main Frenchay Campus. Features will include mechanical and manual workshops, teaching labs, social learning spaces and academic offices.

In addition, it will provide a home to more than 1,600 students, accommodating all of the University's undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programmes.


The project is being designed and operated to BIM Level 2 alongside multidisciplinary consultancy and specialist remediation contractor, Hydrock.

Planning is due to go in for construction to start in summer 2018.

Gary Overton, AHR director, said: "It was important for us to create a design that would support their predicted increase in engineering students over the coming years. We have developed a strong relationship with the University having worked on several projects as part of their ambitious Campus 2020 masterplan."

Henry Easterbrook, Hydrock's building performance engineering director, added: "We are looking forward to working alongside AHR again and being involved with the structural and building performance design that will facilitate the university's growth."

Elsewhere, AHR is designing the £4 million transformation of the former Laundry site at the University's Glenside Campus, which is currently in for planning.

The company recently completed the interior refit for the existing Glenside Hub, which is set inside a Listed building at the Campus.

(LM)