Willmott Dixon has won a £46.5 million deal with the University of Birmingham to deliver a new home for the School of Engineering.

The development, which will accommodate both the School and the UKRRIN Rail Digital Systems Innovation Centre, will result in a signature building for both the School and University to promote engineering excellence. Construction work will begin in August.

Designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects, the building will offer a variety of contemporary and flexible design and research spaces that act as an incubator for innovation and strengthens teaching and research partnerships. In addition, office, meeting and lab spaces will be arranged around a generous atrium containing flexible learning environments that will also enable greater collaboration between staff and students.

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The building's interior will feature exposed structural elements such as supports, pipework and services, providing a practical display of its own engineering. On the outside, the facility will feature a half-brick, half-clad facade to provide a strong visual impact, with visual cues taken form railway lines and trackside signalling that connects it to its core specialism.

Earlier this year, Willmott Dixon was chosen to to deliver the University's Teaching and Learning Building, scheduled for completion in 2020. Together with this latest contract, the company is delivering over £90 million worth of work for the University.

Daniel Holmes, University of Birmingham, said: "This new building represents a celebration of engineering and will be a centrepiece of our new engineering hub. The ongoing collaborative relationship that we have with Willmott Dixon, along with the quality of delivery of their completed projects, gives us significant confidence that they will deliver this landmark building.

"The School of Engineering has been designed, and will be delivered, with collaboration between the University and industry at its heart, enabling research and teaching excellence to be celebrated and showcased."

Nick Gibb, Deputy Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, said: "The new School of Engineering provides a clear visual statement for the University. It will be driving interest in the STEM subjects, something that we will be supporting ourselves through the creation of opportunities for work placements."

(LM/MH)