Mace to develop phase 3 of ARU Peterborough
International consultancy and construction company will help bring Living Lab to life
International consultancy and construction company Mace, along with its multidisciplinary team, has been appointed to design and develop a second teaching building incorporating a ‘Living Lab’ public science centre at Peterborough’s new university.
The development forms the £28 million third phase of ARU Peterborough. A tender exercise by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has resulted in the appointment of Mace, which is also working in the same role for the first and second phases of the university. Mace will lead a multi-disciplinary team, including other consultancies with the breadth of expertise needed to bring phase 3 from design to delivery.
The third phase will create capacity for 1,750 students studying mainly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fields. The Living Lab will be part of a publicly accessible University Quarter, creating a new cultural asset for the city. The Living Lab will feature exhibits and events and will aim to inspire people into learning more about STEM, including through ARU Peterborough’s curriculum and courses.
The Living Lab will also link with local libraries, museums and arts venues to create a cultural hub for the city and region. It will offer insight on the region’s decarbonised future, including renewable energy, sustainable technology and green transport. A festival of ideas, immersive displays, forums and evening classes will all support making an attractive asset for the city.
Phase 3 is fully funded and planned to be ready in time for the start of the 2024/25 academic year. £20 million of the £28 million cost was secured through Peterborough City Council’s successful bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Other funding comes from Peterborough City Council contributing land worth £2 million, Anglia Ruskin University investing £4 million and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority’s Business Board contributing £2 million.
ARU Peterborough is being delivered in phases over the next 10 years and is a partnership between the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said:
“This is another step forward in the delivery of the third phase of ARU Peterborough. Mace will be working to another challenging timetable, but the good progress so far stands us in great stead to hit our deadlines, and we look forward to continuing to work with Mace on this phase.
“The Living Lab set within an attractive, publicly accessible University Quarter, will be a fantastic cultural asset for the city and region, and a key part of an exciting future for Peterborough.”
Tony Gale, Mace Consult Sector Lead for Universities, said:
“I’m delighted that Mace has been reappointed to continue our work supporting the development of the new university for Peterborough. Our teams are committed to creating places that matter and we look forward to working with our partners to make the Living Lab project a reality.”
Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough, said:
“The third phase of the development will be crucial to the look, feel and function of ARU Peterborough, bringing everything together to create a wonderful campus environment. At the heart of this will be the Living Lab, which will form an important part of the city’s exciting new University Quarter. We’re delighted to be working with Mace to help realise this vision.”