University of Hertfordshire’s new academic building ready to open

Said to be the largest-ever development at the University of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield campus, a new, multi-million-pound home for the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science is set to open its doors in September.

Known as Spectra, the steel-framed structure will be a hub for teaching, research, and innovation, and give students and staff valuable space to collaborate and socialise, enhancing the sense of community within the school.

Working on behalf of main contractor Morgan Sindall, Elland Steel Structures fabricated, supplied and erected 1,200t of steelwork for the five-storey building.

The scheme accommodates laboratory and teaching spaces on all floors and these are divided by a central atrium and an exhibition space, located along one elevation. Together, these two areas form a T-shaped full-height open area in the heart of the building.

The internal spaces are predominantly large open-plan areas, a feature that was best created with a steel frame. These spaces form a vital part of the structure as each floor will include an array of different environments.

As part of the steelwork erection programme, which was undertaken with one 65t-capacity mobile crane, Elland Steel Structures also installed 14,000m² of metal decking for the project, as well as four steel stairs.