Morgan Sindall taps into local workforce for £28m University of Huddersfield scheme

Morgan Sindall, the construction and infrastructure firm, has again acquired the services of local suppliers in the work on the University of Huddersfield’s new £28m Oastler Building.

Having already sourced the £1m steel frame and £210k of Yorkstone from merchants situated within a 10 mile radius of the university, Morgan Sindall has now appointed HW Architectural and Dual Seal Glass – both based in Huddersfield – to fit out the building with £300k of glazing.

The exterior of the structure will be clad in toughened curtain walling, with each panel weighing over 260kg and standing at 3.7 metres tall. HW Architectural, a company with 130 years’ experience, has designed the glazing.

The finished project will require 2,230 sq m of glass and HW Architectural appointed Dual Seal Glass to provide the material.

The 7,500 sq m, six-storey building is being developed on campus opposite the Shorehead roundabout between Queensgate and Wakefield Road in the town.

Scheduled for completion in early 2017, the £28m building will house the University’s Law School and the School of Music, Humanities and Media. It will also provide a link to the University’s Student Central building which was completed in January 2014, at a cost of £22.5m.

The partnership with both HW Architectural and Dual Seal Glass marks the continuing commitment by the University and Morgan Sindall to support local businesses, as explained by Mr Colin Blair, the University’s Director of Estates.

Mr Blair said: “A number of local companies have been involved in our current project. It forms part of a long-standing decision by the University to use local suppliers for its building and maintenance works whenever possible.

“The current £28m Oastler Building is situated at a strategic point on the town’s ring road and will be a landmark structure on the campus that will certainly impress those passing.”

Mark Heginbotham, project director from Morgan Sindall, added: “The decision to continue to appoint local suppliers evidences our commitment – in tandem with the University of Huddersfield – to support the surrounding community.

“Once complete, the Oastler Building will be a focal point for the University and the town. As such, it was imperative that the glazing be high performance, eye-catching and durable. HW Architectural and Dual Seal Glass both have fine reputations and we are confident staff, students and local residents will be delighted with the results and the economic benefits to the area.”

The Oastler Building has been designed to complement existing buildings within the university including both Student Central and the adjacent Creative Arts Building. Upon completion, by the beginning of 2017, the building will provide new teaching space including large tiered lecture theatres.