Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton have completed a £19m refurbishment of the East Estate at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS).
The project has delivered a fully reconfigured 6,778 sq. metres, four-storey academic building within a live campus environment.
The scheme involved a full internal strip-out of the existing 1970s structure, including removal of partitions, finishes and all mechanical and electrical services, followed by a complete reconfiguration of the building. Cassidy + Ashton acted as principal architect on the scheme.
The completed facility provides new and upgraded seminar and teaching rooms, meeting spaces, breakout and informal study areas, and specialist facilities including a Bloomberg Suite, prayer rooms, café and staff lounge.
A new glazed link corridor has also been delivered, connecting the East Estate to the University Spine and West Pavilion, requiring structural alterations and façade modifications.
Acting as main contractor, Conlon delivered the works within a constrained live campus environment using a single-point logistics access route, with phased delivery across four floors and multiple concurrent workfaces.
Fire-rated hoarding and controlled pedestrian routes were installed throughout to maintain safe segregation between construction areas and university operations.
The project involved full replacement and integration of building services, including mechanical and electrical systems, ventilation distribution and electrical infrastructure, alongside connection into Lancaster University’s district heating network.
Externally, the building was upgraded with replacement roof coverings, façade repairs, masonry works and new energy-efficient glazing. Internally, the building was fully refurbished with new partitions, acoustic treatments, flooring, ceilings and doors, alongside installation of a new passenger lift and improved accessibility routes.
The refurbishment has created a carbon saving of more than 80% compared with an equivalent new build. Combined with revised design principles allowing more effective use of space, this has led to an estimated saving of more than 4,700 tonnes of carbon expenditure – equivalent to the carbon produced by more than 400 homes in a year. The scheme was delivered in line with Conlon Construction’s social value commitments, with a focus on apprenticeships and the use of local labour wherever possible.
Guy Parker, managing director and chair of Conlon Construction, said: “It’s fantastic to deliver a project once again with our long-standing partners Cassidy + Ashton, who we have previously worked with on the recent completion of GVS Filter Technology UK’s HQ in Lancaster, as well as a number of education schemes across the region.
“This is Conlon’s biggest education scheme to date, making it a special milestone for the business, and it’s particularly rewarding to see it deliver high-quality facilities that will directly support students and young people in our home of Lancashire.”
Lawrence McBurney, director and architect at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are delighted to see the successful completion of the £19m refurbishment of Lancaster University Management School, a project that reinforces the University’s position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for business and management education.
“Working closely with Lancaster University, Conlon Construction and the wider project team, we have transformed the building into a contemporary, flexible and highly sustainable learning environment that reflects the School’s global reputation for excellence. The refurbished spaces will support world-class teaching, research and collaboration, while enhancing the experience of students, staff and visitors.
“We are proud to have helped deliver a facility that matches the ambition, prestige and future vision of Lancaster University Management School.”
Read next: Heathrow rolls out real-time asset mapping system
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
