Update on Phase 1 of the Science and Engineering Precinct

Floor plans for Phase 1 are now displayed in the Physics common room, with other locations to follow.

What do these plans show?

1. An overview of the entire site and all Phases 1, 2 and 3 - floors 0- 2Link opens in a new window and floors 3- 5Link opens in a new window.
2. An overview of the phasingLink opens in a new window for the entire development
3. Floorplans for Phase 1 of the development (PDFs here to download):

• • • Ground floorLink opens in a new window
    • 1st Floor
    • 2nd FloorLink opens in a new window
    • 3rd FloorLink opens in a new window
    • 4th FloorLink opens in a new window

What are the 3 phases?

•  Phase 1 (new Research and Education Building): will provide around 24,000m² space, including specialist teaching labs, research space and a collaboration hub for staff, students, and partners. This phase is proposed to be completed in 2028.
• Phase 2 (repurposing Block B and Physics): this will involve pulling these buildings back to their bare bones, repurposing the concrete frame and constructing a completely new building which will provide additional research space and the majority of workplace for the development. This phase is to be completed in 2030.
• Phase 3 (new Engineering Building): will provide a host of specialist teaching and research space for the Engineering department and is due to be completed in 2033.

What stage of design are we at?

As of February, we are almost at the end of RIBA Stage 3 for Phase 1 of the development. Over the last few months, colleagues from Chemistry, Engineering, Physics and beyond have been involved in a series of architect-led workshops which have focused on developing the design for each area of the Phase 1 new build so that we could get to layout freeze.

What is layout freeze?

Layout freeze is an important milestone in the RIBA Stage 3 Spatial Coordination of the project as it defines the basis on which our Design Team progress with the multi-disciplinary design development and coordination. For the new Science and Engineering Precinct, layout freeze defines:

• The proposed types of science and engineering activities within each zone of the building
• The number, size, organisation, and adjacencies of rooms within each zone
• The layouts of furniture within each room
• The requirements for notable equipment within each room

What comes next?

Stakeholder engagement will continue this year as the Design Team progress with coordinating the layouts to achieve Geometry Freeze by end of March 2024.

What is Geometry Freeze?

Geometry freeze will involve further engagement with stakeholders from across the University to develop more detailed strategies for building performance, operation, management, and maintenance. This will also involve change to the layout plans on display here as the coordinated proposals for key building elements (structure, risers, stairs, lifts etc) are developed in direct response to user requirements.

It is important to remember that there is still flexibility in the design for Phase 1. The overall strategy is to design a building which can adapt to the science of the future, including developments in pedagogy etc. As we don’t know how STEM at Warwick will evolve over the coming years, it is important that the development is flexible enough to accommodate future needs and this has been factored into the design.

Looking ahead we will aim to share updated floorplans after geometry freeze has concluded at the end of March this year.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback and questions via this web form, direct to Mark Newton or Katherine Branch and/or by reaching out to the STEM Connect programme team at STEMGC@warwick.ac.uk.