Upgrades to the Cockcroft building at the New Museums Site to improve accessibility, ventilation and the experience of staff and students have been completed ready for the start of the academic year.
The work to the lecture theatre and the wider building (built in 1936) was managed in two phases with work carried out during the last two long vacations to avoid disruption to staff and students.
Commenting on the completed project, Professor David Cardwell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Strategy and Planning said, “The refurbishment of the Cockcroft Lecture Theatre has been extraordinary, both in terms of the meticulous planning required to keep the facilities running during term time, and the quality of the end result.
“This is some transformation -- the sympathetic and detailed refurbishment has restored the historical heritage of the Cockroft while bringing it firmly into the 21st century with the latest ventilation, IT and AV systems, and all with a strong focus on the comfort and wellbeing of users. Well done to everyone involved.”
Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Chair of the Programme Board for Education Space said, “The refurbished lecture theatre provides much-needed high-quality shared teaching space which can be used by a range of departments from across the University.
“The project marks the culmination of work completed by the Programme Board for Education Space with funding from the Planning and Resources Committee to deliver improvements to the provision and quality of shared teaching space that facilitates the delivery of the university’s mission to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence.”
During summer 2022, Phase One included a new entrance, new doors, ceilings and flooring and a relocated prep room fitted with touchdown work areas, foyer and an accessible toilet. In the lecture theatre woodwork was restored and new seating upholstery fitted, while wheelchair access was improved. Toilets have been completely refurbished, and energy-efficient LED lighting is fitted throughout.
Phase Two took place this summer (2023), including a new thermally-efficient ceiling in the theatre and an energy-efficient Air Handling Unit to bring the building up to current building regulations for air changes per hour and thermal comfort. New acoustic wall panels were installed, along with a high-tech audio visual system designed by the University’s AV team.
The project was managed by Estates Division Project Leader Tim Harwood, and a team that included SDC, AECOM, KJ Tait and RHP.