Ron Dearing UTC, New Development
Esteem Consortium

Challenge:

Hull City Council and the sponsors, led by Spencer Group and including KCOM, Siemens, University of Hull and Smith & Nephew, wanted to create a pioneering education facility within the Hull City Centre.

The facility would teach young people skills in digital technology and mechatronics, with the aim of inspiring young people to become the next generation of engineers and digital technicians.

Sewell Construction were appointed to deliver the first UTC in the city through the Esteem Consortium based on their track record of delivering education facilities and partnership with Hull City Council.

Development:

As a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 compliant scheme, the process of the development required a collaborative approach with the client and sponsor representatives through engagement from the very first stroke of the designer’s pen to ensure their exact needs were met.

Being the first of its kind, no ‘model’ designs existed and a truly bespoke facility was designed and detailed. Broad curriculum requirements were explained by the sponsor representatives and a number of sketch options were produced and reviewed before being incorporated into an evolving design.

An FM manager from our FM team was involved as part of our offering as part of the design team throughout the process and their input has resulted in a design that is easy to maintain whilst life cycle and running costs have been kept to a minimum.

Given the proximity of local residences and businesses, extensive pre-planning and pre-commencement engagement was undertaken with those who may have been affected by the development to ensure they fully understood the proposals at each stage.

Delivery:

An overview of the development:

Reduce level dig on John Street car park, finding remains of Christ Church foundations – these were excavated and recorded under the watching brief of local Archaeologists appointed by ourselves.

  • Excavated foundations
  • Erected steel frame
  • Poured floors
  • Cladding and roofing works
  • Internal fit-out and final finishes

We worked with Sewell FM throughout the project to induct the maintenance staff into the building systems and familiarise them with the building layout and construction which assisted with a soft landing three months prior to the client moving in.

Results:

The scheme was delivered on time, on budget and with zero reportable accidents.

82% of local spend in the HU area and 91% in the Yorkshire Region.

Local labour was 81% with 50 apprentices on site.