MECD – the clever new kid on the block

UOM life 25th September 2018

On the block between Grosvenor Street, Upper Brook Street and Booth Street East, a huge construction project is underway. It’s difficult to tell right now, but when the work is complete, it will cover the space of 11 football pitches.

In fact, the main building, MEC Hall, could house a sandwich made from Beetham Towers (all 47 storeys) – with one tower stacked on top of the other.

So far, so impressive – but what’s really exciting is that this site will become The University of Manchester’s Engineering Campus, building on the city’s centuries-old reputation as a Northern Powerhouse for engineering. As Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, noted: “This is much more than just a nice new building.”

Big and clever

Construction of the Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) began in spring 2015, but this is a project that’s been far longer in the making. You could even say the seeds for this build began back in 1824.

That was the year that marked the founding of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution – the predecessor to The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and, later, The University of Manchester. The aim of the institute was to educate the working men of a city that gave birth to the Industrial Revolution. Fast-forward nearly 200 years and MECD will be a place to not only educate, but also collaborate, build, experiment and innovate.

There will be laboratories specifically designed for a particular area of research, such as the High Voltage Lab, along with blended learning facilities and a unique ‘maker space’ to give students the chance to see their creations brought to life.

Every detail of the new campus has been thought out, right down to the last microscopic detail – literally. The basement, which will contain clean rooms and dry labs, has been specifically designed to transmit as little vibration as possible, so that materials can be examined at high resolution under the ultra-sensitive microscopes housed there.

And while some spaces have very specific design requirements, for others adaptability is key. This is a campus that will evolve along with not just its students, but the research and engineering breakthroughs that occur under its roof as well. It’s going to be big, yes, but it’ll be clever too.

Topping out

While the appearance of cranes and hard-hatted workers may suggest otherwise, development of the new campus is speeding along. Any new engineering students who have started a four-year degree this September will spend their final year on the new campus.

In 2021, MECD will welcome the Schools of Materials; Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE); Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science (CEAS), as well as the Dalton Nuclear Institute and the BP International Centre for Advanced Materials.

Last week marked an important date in the build – the largest single on-site construction project ever taken on by the University. During a morning of relentless but trademark rain, the doors of the MECD site were opened to invited visitors in order to mark its ‘topping out’ – reaching the highest point of the construction.

“A city of science and engineering”

Speaking at the event, Professor Rothwell said: “MECD will reinforce Manchester’s status as a city of science and engineering excellence.” She added: “MECD will create a world-leading teaching, learning and research facility to develop the engineers, scientists and innovators of tomorrow.”

Her comments were echoed by Diana Hampson, the University’s Director of Estates and Facilities, who said: “The Manchester Engineering Campus Development will create state-of-the-art facilities that will put the University at the forefront of engineering globally, helping attract even more world-class talent to the institution. We are proud to provide such an exceptional space for our exceptional people.”

The high point of the topping out ceremony (pun intended) was the signing of a girder, which will go on to mark the highest point of the campus. Representatives of both the University and construction partner Balfour Beatty were on-hand to put pen to… steel.

New digs

While it will be some time before our engineers move in to their new base, a few will have the chance to make themselves at home in MECD now. This is thanks to a pilot workspace situated on the North Campus’ Pariser Lawn.

Each of the Engineering Schools will have the chance to experience the new work and study environment – and first up is MACE and CEAS, with a team from each of the two Schools moving in yesterday (September 24th). You can find out more about this pilot scheme on Staffnet.

Words – Hayley Cox

Images – Hayley Cox and The University of Manchester

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