North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, University of Salford

Background

The project creates a new gateway building to the University’s Innovation District. This is part of the Salford Crescent and University District wider masterplan which stretches over 240 acres and includes the University’s existing campus and areas around Adelphi Street, the Crescent, Peel Park and Frederic Road.

The Centre is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It enables the University’s robotics and automation specialists to expand their work with SMEs a to provide solution development, design, testing and validation of digital innovation.

Scope

The 23,000 sq ft centre houses robotics and manufacturing labs and workshops, an automotive laboratory and a roof terrace with 40 Photovoltaic panels.

Disciplines covered by the development include robotics for intelligent infrastructure, digital automation and supply chain improvement, as well as health, wellbeing and integrated care technologies.

During the PCSA period, our team undertook demolition of the existing Technology House on the site, including service disconnections and de-gassing of the air conditioning units. 

Extensive amounts of asbestos were discovered within the Technology House which complicated the demolition process. Asbestos tiles were found within layers of the flooring on each level which required a lengthy and painstaking process undertaken by specialists to open up the flooring and remove each tile by hand.

The project team conduct all matters with an open, honest and transparent approach. There is a high degree of interaction with the various student units, coupled with the Quad failities, which reflects on everyones high social value commitments.” Maria Stanion, Project Manager, University of Salford