UCLan Engineering Innovation Centre, Lancashire

As a key part of the University of Lancaster's Preston Campus, the £32 million Engineering Innovation Centre provided the university and Lancashire based manufacturers with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. This helps to train an extra 500 graduates, including an increasing number of female students, gaining degrees in subjects such as mechanical, energy technologies and aerospace engineering.

Throughout the entire project, there were a number of technical challenges that needed to be met. These include the building's proximity to a very busy roundabout, the floor to floor heights, physical security, the expected levels of solar gain as well as design detailing requirements.

Having a total glazed area of 3,100m2, the aluminium curtain wall carries over 40 different types of IG units, along with high density foam inserts utilised alongside decoupling joints in the mullion section - achieving 50 Dnfw flanking sound reduction, as well as 37 dB sound reduction for noise outside the building.

In addition to achieving high levels of thermal insulation, being fabricated from aluminium, the curtain walling frame elements can be recycled, helping to achieve the BREEAM rating of Excellent.