Beatrice Shilling Building, Coventry University

The Beatrice Shilling Building provides a focus for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students at Coventry University. Linked to the faculty’s existing teaching block via a new covered bridge, the development includes the construction of a four-storey steel frame and pre-cast concrete superstructure.

The new building will accommodate additional students for the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing providing a range of learning spaces that will include a gaming and virtual reality studio, a specialist area for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, a laser facility and physics and electronics laboratories, all designed around a full height central atrium configured to promote student and staff collaboration.

We managed the project from the outset through the early design development phases, the planning application and procurement of the Main Contractor. Post-contract, we took on the Employer’s Agent role working with the Main Contractor to handover the project ahead of the completion date.

Solution

With the Estate Development and Project Team, we mapped out the key stakeholders that would feed into the brief early in the project; this included the faculty, estates development, operations and maintenance, the University’s senior leadership team and external stakeholders such as planners and statutory providers.

A timeline for engagement was agreed with all stakeholders and aligned with the RIBA plan of works. Key milestones were included at the end of each stage where the design was presented back to stakeholders to show how their requirements had been considered in the design, with any comments captured to be addressed during the next stage.

A project principles group was set up to act as project board to make the ultimate decision where stakeholder requirements conflicted or deviated from the original brief, with change control introduced at RIBA Stage 3.