Engineering

Investing in our Leading European, Multidisciplinary Engineering School

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Last updated on 10 September 2019

Work being undertaken as part of the £38m investment into the School of Chemical and Process Engineering remains firmly on track.

The project is now a quarter of the way complete with completion anticipated for autumn 2017.

New state of the art facilities will pave the way for continued cutting edge research and teaching, whilst a combination of flexible and formal spaces will create a dynamic and contemporary learning environment for students and staff.

By autumn 2017 the new facilities will boast a suite of three purpose built laboratories for research using radioactive materials and a new photonic laboratory that will house £1.3M ultrafast laser plasma implantation equipment.

The process enabled by the laser will create potential applications including toughening mobile phone displays, building functional glasses for use in new types of biosensors, and creating novel anti-counterfeiting technology to protect products. It is anticipated that within four years the facility is expected to be devoting 50% of its capacity to commercial projects.

Find out more about the School of Chemical and Process Engineering project.

UECI New

Discover more about the ambitious plans for a £5m Cycle Track

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Last updated on 10 September 2019

Join the Sport and Physical Activity team on Thursday 17th March between 2pm-5pm to find out more information about the fantastic new cycle track and sports pavilion.

Anyone interested in this exciting project will be able to see the proposed development plans and hear more about the intention to establish Leeds as the primary UK centre for cycling and triathlon. 

Find out more on the Sport and Physical Activity website.

 

Dennis Hopper

Sharing the University’s plans as part of a wider vision for Yorkshire

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Last updated on 10 September 2019

Dennis Hopper, Director of Facilities Management, shares the University’s plans as part of a wider vision for Yorkshire.

Sharing our vision for campus and seeking views and comments from regional stakeholders is of great importance to us.

We have held a number of meetings recently with the stakeholders in the Leeds City Region which have all received positive feedback. Members of the Leeds Civic Trust were enthused and very supportive of our ambitious plans to create a world class campus. Ongoing consultation and discussion are vital components in the implementation of our plan, and we are currently planning a consultation event with members of the local community.

The key to understanding the campus development plan is to recognise that it is rooted in the University’s Strategic Plan, with its ambitions for the growth and development of our research capability, academic cohort and the student body.

The campus development plan has been explicitly formulated to support and answer these needs. Although we have completed, and are planning, the construction of new buildings –work on the University Centre for Innovation and Enterprise and the Engineering and Physical Sciences development will both begin in the next year – the plan is not purely about new projects. It also encompasses a huge amount of enhancement, upgrading and maintenance works taking place on campus. As well as the significant ongoing refurbishments in the Schools of Medicine and Engineering and the Edward Boyle Library, we are also carrying out many smaller projects and works relating to campus infrastructure, pedestrianisation, separation of traffic, and maximising our green spaces. Current works alone are costing in the region of £150m – and much more is planned for the future.

There is an enormous amount of work taking place and this summer we will see a peak of activity. However, by September some key projects will be completed – the extension and refurbishment of the Institute for Transport Studies, the relocation of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies to the remodelled former School of Geography building, and the first phase of improvements to the Edward Boyle Library – and I hope that once staff, students and visitors see the new and improved facilities they will be pleased with the results!

You can watch our progress and sign up for email updates here

 

Architect awards

University of Leeds shortlisted for Architectural Awards

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Last updated on 10 September 2019

Two of the University’s buildings have been shortlisted for prestigious architectural awards.
Laidlaw Library

The Laidlaw Library opened in spring 2015.

Shortlisted for a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2016 Yorkshire Award is the Laidlaw Library. The Library is amongst eleven other buildings competing for the prestigious accolade of ‘Building of the Year’ which recognises buildings that demonstrate outstanding architecture. Judges will be visiting the Library over the next few weeks and a winner will be announced in April.

Alongside the Laidlaw, the multi-storey car park which opened earlier this year has also been recognised for its inspirational design.  The car park, which boasts an impressive bespoke exterior of aluminum cladding panels and feature façade lighting for distinct aesthetic effect, is shortlisted in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 2016 Awards. As part of the process, judges visited the University to view the car park last month with a winner to be announced in May.

Dennis Hopper, Director of Facilities Management, commented:

“The University of Leeds is delighted to see our buildings being recognised in the RICS and RIBA Awards. To be shortlisted for these awards is testament to our ongoing commitment to create outstanding architectural buildings within our ambitious plan to create a world class campus.”

 

Montague Burton

Enhancing student experience at Montague Burton Residences

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Last updated on 10 September 2019

A £7.5m investment is set to transform this well recognised building known for providing a great home to the University’s students.

A 30 month project will involve reconfiguring accommodation space to create larger blocks of living areas and the creation of a social space which will become a central hub of social activity for residents.

Find out more about the Montague Burton Halls of Residence project