The university is keen to develop the campus further. Credit: Teesside University

VIDEO | Wates to take on next Teesside Uni project

6 February 2024 15:13 Neil Tague Comments (0)

Plans have been unveiled for the £40m Digital Life building, with the contractor lined up for its fourth job within the university’s ongoing Middlesbrough campus masterplan.

Set for completion in spring 2025, Teesside University said that the development will provide a stunning focal point for digital teaching and learning, continuing the transformative impact of the masterplan, which has seen more than £280m invested so far.

Digital Life is intended to support the demand for flexible learning, continued professional development and apprenticeships in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, fintech and digital sustainable engineering.

It will house AI and robotics suites, virtual reality and cybersecurity labs, along with animation and visual effects studios.

Digital Life will primarily provide an industry-quality digital studio experience for students in the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, alongside the university’s industry partners.

The building will also contain the university’s first dedicated, large-scale and multi-functional events space, which will accommodate student-facing events including the annual Animex festival and the university’s Graduation ceremonies.

Wates has now been appointed to the job as its fourth project for Teesside University. Previous schemes include the National Horizons Centre, the Cornell Quarter student accommodation and most recently, science and medical facility BIOS, which opened in autumn 2023.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive of Teesside University, Professor Paul Croney said: “The Masterplan has delivered a superb campus environment, which continues to have a transformative impact for our students.”

Malcolm Page, chief operating officer, added: “We are committed to investing in our campus and continue to set the standard for capital developments in our region and sector.

“We approach each project with ambition and a commitment to delivering at pace, alongside embedding sustainability measures and working with contractors to deliver social value.

“The University has a strong track record in digital skills, and many successful digital businesses in the region started out here on campus. This development gives us the space to work collaboratively with our industry partners to further catalyse this important sector.”

David Wingfield, regional director for construction – Yorkshire & North East at Wates, said: “Digital Life marks our fourth project with Teesside University, and we’re honoured to continue being a part of this ambitious transformation.

“We’ve established an incredibly strong working partnership with both the client and local supply chain over the years. This will help us deliver this project successfully for the University, while ensuring we go above and beyond to support the wider Teesside community through social value and sustainability measures.”