Part of Sewell Group,
A Co-Owned Business

About the project

This project consists of refurbishing several spaces within the Roger Stevens building at the University of Leeds. It’s split over two floors, with Level 5 becoming the Faculty of Biological Sciences (FBS) Bio-imaging and Flow Cytometry facility. The mezzanine floor will create Level 6, which provides high quality seminar and meeting space. These rooms were used as storage for the geography faculty, and have become outdated, with some rooms not being used to their full potential. Refurbishing these areas will provide new updated working spaces, and house state-of-the-art equipment to aid the university’s research and development teams, boosting the city’s reputation as a leader in medical tech. By bringing together biological and clinical scientists with cutting-edge equipment, the lab will allow the development of targeted and effective therapies across all disease areas and improving patient outcomes. Alongside the installation of new equipment, the works also consist of mechanical and electrical updates to upgrade and futureproof the university infrastructure, including creating a new plant room. Click the photo to see the full image on the photo gallery.
Structural propping in place
Lintel installed
Spider crane
Spider crane
Tracked machine
Lifting Steel
Steel in position
Lifting Steel
Steel in position
Air handling units on 6th floor
Underside of steel complete with netting
Initial layer of flooring
Insulation to flooring

Progress so far

Over the last few weeks we have been very busy on site aiming to progress the project and push on in the right direction. Temprary propping works to the main structure have been completed and now removed from site. We have had the main steel delivery and have installed the steel structure to form the floor on level 6. This was brought into the building using a specialist remote control tracked carrier and lifted into position using a spider crane which folds up to be able to access tight spaces.

Builders' works have been continuing which will make way for mechanical and electrical infrastructure and we have prepared the slab ready for the drainage installation. Various co-ordination meetings have taken place and site visits to help the project run smoothly with specialist contractors coming to site to help plan their element of works. Now that the main steel structure is in place we have been able to make a good start on installing the floor build up with the first initial layer being installed and the insulation layer started as well ready for the top layer next week.

In the upcoming weeks we should have drainage being installed and the groundworks to the main entrance will begin which will pave the way for the curtain walling. Stud partitions and drylining will begin which will start to close the job up and form the new lab spaces. Mass barrier ceiling installation will start next week also which will close the steel structure up in readiness for the following mechanical and electrical trades.

Whilst all of the work has been undertaken we have had a work experience candidate join the project to help gain experience within the industry. The candidate has completed his time at University and is looking to gain the hands on knowledge from the site team. We have also had Considerate Constructors visit site and scored 45 out of 45 for the project, and also achieved an additional best practice point.

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