Work completed at University of Leeds campus

It is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, enrolling more than 32,000 students in just one year.

Now, refurbishment work on a number of education and administration facilities across the 96-acre University of Leeds campus has been completed.

Sewell Construction started work on site in March, working in a live environment at five different locations during the two-phase, 31-week project, enabling teams to relocate into modern, purpose-built facilities and free up space for a new School of Earth and Environment.

It comes after Sewell previously completed a £4.3 million refurbishment of the University of Leeds’ existing four-storey geography building, creating a new School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

Carl Hurdus, Project Manager at Sewell Construction, walked between 10,000 and 15,000 steps per day as he made his way between the various locations on the latest scheme.

He said: “All work took place in busy, operational environments in the heart of the campus, so regular staff and student communication was paramount, particularly when there were thousands more students on campus during fresher’s week.

“We worked closely with planning and conservation teams because a listed building was involved and it was a big challenge because the building had previously been re-purposed.

“Some staff have already moved into the new areas and we’ve had some great feedback.

“It was fantastic to work with the University of Leeds again.”

Phase one included creating a new post room, IT workshop and store room. From March to May, the work involved a full strip out, complete new mechanical and engineering refurbishment, new glazing, floors, ceilings and walls.

Phase two saw the 1920s, three-storey town house, now known as the Logik Centre, turned into usable education space and the former post room and IT workshop transformed to create new teaching areas in the Bragg Cluster.

Work across the two buildings included a small extension, extensive roof repairs, new floors and internal walls, glazed and folding partitions, and full mechanical and electrical works.

Paul Cook, Strategic Programme Manager in the Capital Development Team at the University of Leeds, said: “I’m delighted with the quality of work carried out and it has created excellent facilities for students and staff, so it’s a great asset to the campus.

“Sewell’s proactive approach means great partnership working and we’re all really pleased with the overall outcome.”