Located on the Colchester Campus of the University of Essex, the Innovation Centre is at the heart of their “Knowledge Gateway Masterplan” which envisages that 2,000 people will eventually be working and growing their businesses on the site.

Users of the new facilities will be drawn not only by the excellent business accommodation, but also the flourishing business community, academic support and on-campus resources and services provided by a leading research-intensive university.

Oxford Innovation, the UK’s largest Innovation Centre operator, has a partnership with the University to manage this space. The development provides a range of office space solutions, impressive meeting and conference facilities and access to specialist on-site business support. The development also boasts a café, a 360˚ VR projection space, break out areas for students to develop business ideas, and provision to showcase Essex research which is all linked to the creative and digital sectors.

Following an extensive value engineering and redesign process with main contractor Kier and the design team, the final solution provided a BREEAM rating of “Very Good” for the building. Using the exposed structure and a mix of natural ventilation to the office spaces and suspended radiant panel heating and energy efficient luminaires, the exposed services were carefully coordinated to create a simple but effective environment in which to work and inspire creativity. Each business unit is self-sufficient in both power and data. Our brief also involved the installation of the dado trunking with sufficient capacity to enable the end user to further customise its own space in line with the development and growth of its respective business.

Role:

Mechanical and Electrical Contractor

Client:

University of Essex

Main Contractor:

Kier

M & E Consultant:

Ingleton Wood

Architect:

Stanley Bragg

Value:

£1.8M

Download the PDF: