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The facts
Client: University of
Manchester
Location: Manchester
Services: Project and cost management, civil
and structural engineering, acoustics, ecology, BREEAM, and
CDMC
Sector: Education
Contract Type: OGC/Traditional
Project Value: £3m
Start/Completion: 2009/2011
The project
The Jodrell Bank Centre for
Astrophysics is the astronomical research centre of the University
of Manchester. Featuring the iconic 76m Lovell Telescope, the
centre helps astronomers study how planets and stars form and
reveal the nature of supernovae, neutron stars and black holes. It
has also played a major role in the discovery of quasars and
gravitational lenses, and in understanding pulsars.
The University of Manchester’s new £3m
Jodrell Bank Science Discovery Centre main aim is to inspire young
scientists and connect them to cutting-edge research as it happens.
The project has been made possible by an investment of £1.9m by the
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and £1m from the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Northwest. An
additional £600,000 of funding has also come from The University of
Manchester.
Capita Symonds provided project and cost
management, civil and structural engineering, acoustics, ecology,
BREEAM, and CDMC services on the project which includes:
- A ‘Planet Pavilion’ entrance building
including an orientation centre and stylish glass-walled café with
spectacular views of the Lovell telescope;
- A ‘Space Pavilion’ incorporating a
multi-purpose exhibition, events and education space;
- Landscaping of the site’s 35 acre Arboretum
to create a ‘Space Garden’ as well as a ‘Galaxy Maze’ based on the
shape of the Milky Way.