The keys to the £17.5m research centre, the National Brownfield Institute (NBI), on the University of Wolverhampton’s £120m Springfield Campus have been handed over; going from a concept on paper to handing over in just 457 days. It will build on existing expertise offered on-site at the 12-acre Springfield Campus through the Thomas Telford University Technical College, the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills and the new £45 million School of Architecture & the Built Environment. All of the Campus buildings were designed by Associated Architects, and have come to signify the strong relationship with the University.

ISG were the contractor responsible for the speedy construction with work on site starting in April 2021. The NBI will focus on brownfield regeneration and remediation through the work of research teams, leading policy development and commercial services.

The Institute will also identify and look focus on digital skills needed in the industry, bringing together expertise from across the region and further afield with greater focus on construction design, Building Information Modelling (BIM), off-site, modular construction, and lean construction methodologies.

Warren Jukes, Managing Director at Associated Architects, said:

“The NBI adds to our already impressive portfolio of projects on the Springfield Campus, which has been recipient of numerous national and regional awards and shortlistings. The facilities on this site combined with the NBI will lay a foundation for the delivery of a National Centre for Sustainable Construction and Circular Economy, which will focus on sustainability and the climate change emergency.”

Professor David Proverbs, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the university, said:

“This is another major milestone for our important regeneration project, further adding to the portfolio of construction and built environment expertise that now resides at the Springfield Campus”

The NBI project team included the University’s Estates & Facilities Team, Associate Architects, CPW, Faithful & Gould, Delta Planning, Atkins and MACE.