With state-of-the-art laboratories, offices and social spaces, the buildings are open to all staff and students at the University, but will be home to its world-renowned Faculty of Engineering and the departments of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Programmes.
The new facilities include a dedicated employability hub, designed to help businesses from the Sheffield City Region, across the UK and around the world to meet face-to-face with engineering students to aid collaborations. The facilities will also make industrial placements, internships, skills sessions and graduate opportunities more accessible than ever for students.
The spectacular design has been warmly received both in and outside the University, with the space already having been nominated for two presigeous awards. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards 2020 Yorkshire & Humber have shortlisted the Engineering Heartspace in both its ‘heritage’ and ‘education’ categories, which recognise the positive and transformational contribution to society that the built environment can make.
Great care has been taken with the refurbishment and roof addition, with the performance of the building also a priority. A ‘repair rather than replace’ approach has been successful, for example, where sash windows have been sympathetically upgraded to improve thermal performance. The roof’s columns are positioned to prevent load being transferred to the historic buildings which flank the space.
The Grade II listed Sir Frederick Mappin Building and the 1885 Central Wing are two of the University’s oldest buildings.
First erected in 1904, the Mappin Building is named after Sir Frederick Mappin, a factory owner and liberal politician from Sheffield who supported the formation of the University in 1905. Sir Frederick was then named its first Pro-Chancellor.
The 1885 Central Wing was a former Technical School and is the earliest purpose-built building in the University’s estate.
Keith Lilley, Director of Estates and Facilities Management at the University of Sheffield, said:
“This has been an incredibly ambitious and demanding project, but it was absolutely worth it. Two of our oldest buildings have been fully refurbished, whilst still retaining their historical significance. The central atrium provides modern standards of building performance, significantly improving the energy and carbon performance of these Victorian buildings by enclosing the inner facades of both buildings. We believe these changes allow users of the spaces to enjoy the buildings and their historic character in a protected and modern setting. We are delighted with the scheme which helps underpin the facilities of one of the world’s best engineering faculties.”
