Higher

The new four storey Science and Technology Centre for Staffordshire University’s Stoke-On-Trent Campus launches the university quarter (UNIQ) into the latest stage of its development, marking the next step in the regeneration of North Staffordshire.

The new centre on Leek Road which accommodates the Renewable Energy and Medical Technologies departments provides students with 12 special science and technology laboratories; a cognitive and development psychology suite; interview rooms; a 240 seat lecture hall; a dedicated IT suite; a learning resource centre, flexible learning spaces, a criminalistics lab, a blood splatter unit; a scanning electron microscope; a café and a public exhibition space. Students from the City-of-Stoke-on-Trent 6th form and Stoke-on-Trent College also have access to the new facilities.

The building is due to be awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating for its environmental features and approach to sustainability. The Centre features the use of Combined Heat and Power Systems to reduce grid electricity and the buildings CO2 emissions. The building’s overall water consumption has been reduced due to the installation of low water consuming features and the use of controlled water shut off toilets. Cycle racks and an easy access route to public transport is hoped to reduce the use and dependency of private vehicles.

Works commenced in October 2010 and is due to be completed in March 2012.