Practical completion has been reached at the University of Hertfordshire’s flagship, multi-million-pound Spectra building.

The keys for the five-floor building, which will house the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science and transform learning, teaching and research in STEM fields, have now officially been handed over to the University from lead contractor Morgan Sindall Construction.

The development was procured under the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), a quality-managed collaborative construction framework for public bodies to procure major building works using a two-stage open book process to deliver best value.

Set to open its doors in September, Spectra will be the largest single structure on campus and will be a hub for innovation, research and enterprise. Its cutting-edge facilities and equipment will expand Herts’ range of study and research options and increase its capacity for high quality, real-world research impact.

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New facilities within the building will mirror the working environments in students’ future careers. They include modelling, simulation and research labs, flight simulators, an automotive workshop complete with electric vehicle facility, a wind tunnel, welding bay and controls testing suite. Students will have access to state-of-the-art cyber security facilities while the upper floors will provide space for workshops, research and computer science, as well as social and meeting spaces to collaborate and socialise.

Beyond Herts, it will benefit the local community, become a catalyst for regional growth by providing specialist services to regional businesses and fill crucial skills gaps in STEM industries nation-wide.

Spectra will champion and improve diversity in the UK’s STEM industry, alongside a range of initiatives at the University to inspire people from minority groups to pursue STEM subjects.

Professor Quintin McKellar, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, said: "We're thrilled to have received the keys for our brand-new Spectra building and look forward seeing it full of students in the new term.

"This remarkable space will inspire our students to become the next generation of leading engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists, and is a testament to our investment in high quality learning, innovation and the wider community.

"Thank you to everyone involved with the project, particularly Morgan Sindall, for all their hard work in marking this huge milestone a reality."