New time-lapse footage shows UCLan Masterplan taking shape in Preston

New time-lapse footage has been released by UCLan, showing the impressive progress being made on its new £60 million student centre in Preston's Adelphi Quarter.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 22nd Dec 2020, 15:08 BST
Updated 22nd Dec 2020, 15:12 BST
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The new footage documents the completion of a key construction milestone at the new university campus in Fylde Road, which is part of UCLan's £200 million project to redevelop its Preston campus.

In a little over a month, nearly 100 tonnes of steel and glass have been lifted into place on the south elevation of the development, with the building now virtually watertight.

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Michael Ahern, UCLan’s chief information and infrastructure officer, said: "The completion of our Student Centre’s exterior glass frontage represents a major construction milestone.

At 13.5 metres in height and nearly 100 metres in length, it all adds up to the highest single span ‘continuous’ curtain walling system in Europe – meaning the outer walls are non-structuralAt 13.5 metres in height and nearly 100 metres in length, it all adds up to the highest single span ‘continuous’ curtain walling system in Europe – meaning the outer walls are non-structural
At 13.5 metres in height and nearly 100 metres in length, it all adds up to the highest single span ‘continuous’ curtain walling system in Europe – meaning the outer walls are non-structural

"Our students and staff can’t wait to start using the building which will be flooded with natural light, aesthetically superb and most importantly create an inspiring environment to support our students for many years to come.

"Our construction partners Bowmer + Kirkland will soon be entering the final straight as we look forward to the project’s completion in April 2021."

At 13.5 metres in height and nearly 100 metres in length, it all adds up to the highest single span ‘continuous’ curtain walling system in Europe – meaning the outer walls are non-structural.

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In total, the impressive frontage required 165 units of glass in an assortment of 25 different shapes and sizes.

In a little over a month, nearly 100 tonnes of steel and glass have been lifted into place on the south elevation of the development, with the building now virtually watertightIn a little over a month, nearly 100 tonnes of steel and glass have been lifted into place on the south elevation of the development, with the building now virtually watertight
In a little over a month, nearly 100 tonnes of steel and glass have been lifted into place on the south elevation of the development, with the building now virtually watertight

Each vertical supporting bar between the panes of glass weigh in at approximately 1.2 tonnes while the largest glass unit installed is 510kg and the smallest being 130kg.

Work will now turn to the completion of the building’s interior as well as the new public square - of which 45 percent has already been laid - ahead of its completion in April 2021.

The university said its vision for the new campus is to create a "world-class environment helping to create jobs, kick-start regeneration and attract inward investment into the city and North West region".

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Once completed, the ambitious development will provide a greener environment on the previous Adelphi roundabout for students, staff and residents to enjoy, with over 300 new trees being planted and a 50,000-strong bee colony planned for the roof of the Student Centre.

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Related topics:UCLanPrestonEuropeNorth West

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