The initial purpose of this project was to create a world-class building in West Cambridge, to house the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC), the National Research Facility for Infrastructure Sensing and the Department’s Geotechnical and Structures research activities. The RIBA Stage 1 study demonstrated the value of expanding the scheme to accommodate most of the Civil Engineering Division.
The relocation of Civil Engineering activity to West Cambridge is an important first step in the Department’s 'Move West' strategy, and the building has been included in the 'Inset' Masterplan developed by Grimshaw Architects, and incorporated into the University’s Masterplan for the West Cambridge site.
Approval for the expanded scheme, with a projected budget of £36m, was granted in October 2015. Construction started in September 2017 and was completed in Spring 2019. The Civil Engineering Division moved in over the Summer 2019.
SDC were the main contractor. Cambridge University Estate Management lead the project with the Department of Engineering Building Projects team acting as the user representative, as well as being responsible for the furniture procurement and installation, and the relocation of all staff and equipment from the Trumpington Street site.