World Class School of Health Studies Nears Completion

BBC Look North presenter and Honorary Graduate Harry Gration put the finishing touches to the frame of the University of Bradford's new School of Health Studies building, in a topping out ceremony on 28th January.

Picture shows Deputy Vice Chancellor Sue Kershaw, BBC Look North Presenter and Honorary Graduate Harry Gration and Dean of School Shirley Congdon

The new building will not only provide students with an enhanced learning experience but ensure that when they graduate the students are better equipped to find jobs in the health sector.  The building's new facilities will include practice simulation suites, a movement laboratory, dedicated radiography facilities and state of the art equipment. This includes high tech mannequins which allow students to practice clinical skills in a safe and stimulating environment. A specialist camera system will enhance the student experience and allow connectivity to classrooms in the University and worldwide.

The School of Health Studies is highly ranked within the UK and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in a wide range of health professions, attracting students from the Bradford region and beyond.

Dean of the School of Health Studies, Shirley Congdon said, "We are extremely excited about the completion of this project which we are confident will continue to attract a high calibre of students onto our courses.  The modern facilities that replicate those found in hospitals will ensure that graduates are well equipped to find jobs after they complete their studies."

The new facilities will be housed within a refurbished building and a brand new extension that are being constructed in accordance with the University's Ecoversity Policy, meaning that it exceeds environmental building regulation requirements, in many areas including insulation and energy efficiency.  The building's striking form is now really beginning to take shape as ISG, the project's main contractor, reaches a key milestone in the development with the successful completion of the roof structure. 

Initiatives such as using local contractors and labour are as important as reducing future energy costs when building in an environmentally responsible manner.  The University is a leader in this field and has won numerous environmental awards, including the Times Higher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development, which it has been awarded for the last two years. 

This project is one of the cornerstones of the University's Estate Strategy bringing the School of Health Studies onto the City Campus to join their University colleagues. The School benefits from brand new high quality facilities, access to the full range of facilities on the main campus, the academic community as well as sports and social resources. The new location also has better public transport links and other city centre benefits.

The project delivers important sustainability targets, including a net space reduction of approximately 8,700 square metres of building floor area that along with improved thermal and energy management technologies allows the University to reduce carbon emissions of 450 tonnes a year, as well as raising the quality of our estate at this high profile gateway to campus. The project which benefits from the use of the University's sustainability specification, is predicted to achieve a 'Very Good' BREEAM rating, which is a considerable achievement given that a significant proportion of the new facility is being constructed within a refurbished existing structure.

The building exceeds building regulations in a many areas, including air-tightness and thermal conductivity and insulation and has been built to the University's sector target focussed leading sustainability specification and will be an exemplar of a low carbon rehab and new build.