A brand new £13 million learning facility is under construction at Loughborough University. Work began on the teaching laboratory for science, technology, engineering and mathematics known as STEM in November 2015 and is expected to be completed later this year.
The STEM Lab, a 55,000 sq ft development, has been awarded to Henry Brothers Midlands Ltd based in Nottingham and is their second and most prestigious project for the University. The scheme comprises the design and build of a state-of-the art suite which will be divided into academic areas including: engineering workshops and design studios to the ground floor; CAD rooms and laboratories for electrical, materials and physics with breakout spaces for both students and teachers on the ground and upper floors.
Speaking on behalf of Henry Brothers, STEM project manager Chris Hill said:
“The precast prestressed concrete hollowcore planks, ‘T’ beams and stair units specified as part of the design and build are being supplied to the highest standard on a just-in-time delivery schedule. In the case of the hollowcore planks and stair units, with little additional preparation, we will be able to apply the finishing paints and vinyl floors direct to the fair-faced surfaces.”
The floors for the project have been supplied by FP McCann’s Weston Underwood production plant. To date, FP McCann has supplied some 5000m2 of precast concrete flooring consisting of 150mm and 200mm deep hollowcore prestressed planks with exposed soffit in some areas and 150mm deep ‘T’ beams.
In addition to the precast concrete flooring, FP McCann has designed and is supplying the internal staircases and integral landings, cast at the company’s specialist precast facility at Littleport, Cambridgeshire. A 50mm screed has been applied to the stairs and the half landing. Finally, vinyl flooring has been utilised to cover the internal stair surfaces.
