Meticulously planned and executed, it aims to deliver a learning environment that will inspire current and future generations to study and research life sciences.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the building\u2019s sustainable design is an exposed hybrid steel and engineered timber structure, which proudly expresses the building\u2019s engineering throughout.<\/p>\n
Destined to become a world-class hub for engineering excellence and reflecting Newcastle-upon-Tyne\u2019s importance to the regeneration of the North, the Stephenson Building is a \u00a370m redevelopment of an existing teaching building, originally opened in 1951 by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n
For the innovative and highly sustainable redevelopment, Newcastle University selected an expert project team including NORR Architects and Bowmer + Kirkland as main\u00a0 contractor.<\/p>\n
B&K Hybrid Solutions (BKHS) was awarded the contract to design, manufacture and erect the structural frame, which features a complex roof structure of glulam beams and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), as well as a composite metal decking towards the rear of the building.<\/p>\n
Multiple roof lights and a large expanse of roof glazing brings light into the interior and the atrium roof is supported by Y-branched steel columns.<\/p>\n
To deliver the architect\u2019s vision, BKHS called upon its structural timber supply chain partners Stora Enso and Hasslacher to manufacture the CLT and glulam components, and specialist timber engineer Engenuiti to support the intricate connection design.<\/p>\n
The architectural intent was to turn the original building \u2018inside out\u2019 by transforming the existing traditional cellular academic building into a collaborative facility. Exposing the building\u2019s structure, services and spaces was a deliberate visual choice to create an uplifting environment that would proudly express the building\u2019s engineering excellence.<\/p>\n
Lee Roberts, pre-construction director at BKHS, said: \u201cThe Stephenson Building presented another welcomed opportunity to work with our long-term supply chain partners. These relationships ensure we benefit from established working procedures, which ultimately helped to achieve the highest standards of accuracy required for this project.\u201d<\/p>\n
These strong supply chain relationships were crucial given the project challenges, including the cranked shape of the building and the diagonal arrangement of the glulam elements, with 4m wide overhang.<\/p>\n
The combined use of steel and glulam beams, as well as CLT and composite metal decking, required a project team with strong hybrid construction experience across a multitude of projects. Here, BKHS\u2019 50 years of construction experience with steel and timber proved invaluable. For example, where the diagonally arranged beams cross each other in the cantilever, complex moment connections had to be incorporated to provide continuity to the interrupted members.<\/p>\n
In addition to the benefits hybrid construction brought to the build, the specification of timber also delivered several sustainability benefits.<\/p>\n
Primarily manufactured from Norway Spruce, with full PEFC chain of custody, the 418.4m3 of CLT panels and 315.1m3 of glulam beams are able to sequester 548.4 tonnes of CO2e, while all the timber used on the project will have been regrown in just 101 seconds, contributing to the circular economy.<\/p>\n
The project also undoubtedly benefitted from BKHS providing both the engineered timber and structural steelwork elements of the hybrid structure due to the complexity of build sequence and site constraints.<\/p>\n
This, combined with early engagement, helped to ensure the seamless transitions between the two materials could be defined prior to installation \u2013 crucial to the overall success of the building.<\/p>\n
Now open, the building offers 198,000 sq ft of new and refurbished facilities \u2013 from inclusive education spaces to multi-purpose teaching laboratories \u2013 which enables Newcastle University to nurture cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative partnerships.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, timber\u2019s biophilic and sustainability benefits fully match the education sector\u2019s growing environmental focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Stephenson Building is part of Newcastle University\u2019s investment in quality facilities that deliver an outstanding student experience and an excellent environment for our students\u2019 learning, teaching and research,\u201d concluded Professor Chris Day, vice-chancellor at Newcastle University.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project also embodies our commitment to sustainability and enables new, exciting and diverse sustainability-driven curriculum within engineering and with other disciplines.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new Stephenson Building at Newcastle University is a landmark education redevelopment. Discover more here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":161144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[172731],"tags":[702,173347,173251,3649,636,173349,173348,173346,173261,173345],"stakeholder_rel_tag":[],"contributor_rel_tag":[173275],"class_list":{"0":"post-161141","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-projects","8":"tag-architecture","9":"tag-building-systems","10":"tag-design-specification","11":"tag-education","12":"tag-engineering","13":"tag-envelopes-and-interiors","14":"tag-facades","15":"tag-materials","16":"tag-pbc-today-may-2026","17":"tag-product-specification"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n